Importance Score: 40 / 100 🔵
Royal Family Observes Easter Tradition; Prince William and Princess Kate Absent
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, alongside other members of the royal family, upheld their yearly Easter custom by attending church services, though the absence of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton was conspicuous during this year’s Easter celebrations.
Royal Family Attends Easter Service at Windsor Castle
King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, were present at the Easter Sunday service held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on April 20th. They were accompanied by the King’s siblings: Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. The spouses of Princess Anne and Prince Edward, Sir Tim Laurence and Duchess Sophie respectively, also attended, as did Sarah Ferguson, Prince Andrew’s former wife. The younger generation was represented by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who were accompanied by their husbands, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank. Additionally, James, Earl of Wessex, Beatrice and Eugenie’s cousin, joined his parents, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie, in a rare public appearance.
Prince William and Princess Kate Miss Easter Church Service
Notably absent from the Easter church service were Prince William, 42, Princess Kate, 43, and their three children—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—who did not participate in the public Easter Day outing.
Family Time Cited for Royal Couple’s Absence
Reports surfaced earlier in the week, on Thursday, April 17th, indicating Prince William and Princess Kate’s intention to forgo the Easter church service. Sources indicated to The Mirror that the couple, married since April 2011, opted to prioritize private family time before their children’s return to school.
Past Easter Attendance and Princess Kate’s Health
This Easter marks the second consecutive year of non-attendance at the family Easter church service for Prince William, Princess Kate, and their children. In March 2024, their absence was attributed to Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis, which necessitated her withdrawal from public duties for medical treatment. Princess Kate has since announced the completion of her chemotherapy and that her cancer is in remission.
Speculation Surrounds Royal Family’s Easter Gathering
An insider, speaking exclusively to Us Weekly, described Prince William and Princess Kate’s decision to not join the royal family for Easter this year as “significant.”
Royal Tradition and Palace Reactions
“Attendance at this service is a long-standing royal tradition,” the source elaborated. “While the family’s absence last year was understandable given Princess Kate’s health challenges, Prince William’s choice to abstain again this year has prompted considerable discussion within palace circles. It is perceived by some as a deliberate decision.”
King Charles’ Health and Previous Easter Service
Last year’s Easter service saw King Charles and Queen Camilla in attendance alongside Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Duchess Sophie. That event was King Charles’ first major public appearance following his cancer diagnosis announcement in February. Due to health precautions at the time, he was seated separately from the main congregation and did not attend the post-service reception or family lunch, although he briefly greeted members of the public outside the church.
King Charles Continues Cancer Treatment
King Charles is currently still undergoing treatment for cancer. Buckingham Palace reported that in March, he was briefly hospitalized for “temporary side effects requiring a short observation period.” After postponing some official engagements, King Charles resumed public duties on April 1st.