Where Is Mary Queen of Scots Buried
Mary Queen of Scots was buried at Westminster Abbey in London, England. Her tomb is located in the Henry VII Lady Chapel, a prominent side chapel near the high altar of the abbey. The burial site is part of the official Westminster Abbey website, which provides visitor details, opening hours, and location maps Westminster Abbey Official Site.
The burial took place in 1612, more than 25 years after her execution in 1587. Her son, King James VI of Scotland and I of England, ordered the move of her remains from Peterborough Cathedral to Westminster Abbey. The tomb is a large marble monument designed by Maximilian Colt and painted by John de Critz.
What the Mary Queen of Scots Tomb Looks Like
The monument features a white marble effigy of Mary resting on a chest tomb. The effigy was sculpted to show her in later life, wearing a crown and holding a sceptre. The base of the tomb includes heraldic shields and inscriptions in Latin and English Historic Royal Palaces Westminster Abbey.
The effigy was originally painted in bright colors, but centuries of candle smoke and pollution have darkened the surface. Modern conservation work has cleaned and stabilized the marble, revealing details of the crown, veil, and embroidery on the robes. The tomb sits alongside other royal monuments, including those of Elizabeth I and Mary I.
Visiting the Burial Site Today
Westminster Abbey is open to visitors throughout the year, with separate admission for tourists and free entry for worshippers. The Mary Queen of Scots tomb is accessible during regular visiting hours, and audio guides highlight the key monuments inside the abbey Plan Your Visit Westminster Abbey.
The abbey is located in the City of Westminster, London, near the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. It is served by several London Underground stations, including St James's Park and Westminster. Visitor numbers rank Westminster Abbey among the most visited religious sites in the United Kingdom Visit Britain Official Tourism.