The west portal of Chartres Cathedral, known as the Royal Portal, was part of a campaign to beautify the cathedral, which began in the time of Bishop Ivo (reg 1090–1116).
It is an integral part of a new west front made for an extension of the nave of Fulbert’s cathedral.
This was done in two stages: the first, c. 1140, comprised the north-west tower, originally free-standing, and a façade to replace the tower porch that had previously formed the entrance to Fulbert’s nave. The appearance of this façade is difficult to establish.