Senior Royal lacking from Easter Sunday church service named – ‘underneath the climate’
One senior Royal family member was noticeably absent from Windsor Castle’s Easter service where Kate Middleton made her first appearance since her cancer diagnosis
William and Kate with their three children lead the royals to church on Easter Sunday(Image: PA)
A significant assembly of royals attended the customary Easter Sunday church service – however, one high-ranking family member had to withdraw.
The Duchess of Edinburgh was anticipated to be among the members of the Firm accompanying the King, Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales for the annual Easter Matins service at Windsor Castle this morning. Yet despite her husband Prince Edward being present with their son James, the Earl of Wessex, Sophie did not join them.
It’s thought that she opted out of attending the service as she is feeling ‘under the weather’. The couple’s daughter Lady Louise Windsor, who is studying at St Andrews University, was also absent, due to her focusing on her academic work.
Despite Sophie’s absence, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children did attend the traditional Easter service for the first time since Kate’s cancer diagnosis. Kate and William were among the senior members of the royal family to accompany the King and Queen at the Easter Matins service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
William acknowledged the large crowd outside the castle as he and his wife led a procession to the service with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, reports the Mirror.
Charlotte donned a tan coat while Kate sported an off-white outfit consisting of a skirt, smart jacket and leafy hat, whereas William and the boys were dressed in dark blue suits and ties.
Camilla made her appearance in a red wool dress and coat by Fiona Clare, donning a hat by Phillip Treacy and a brooch that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Among the royal party was Peter Phillips and his soon-to-be wife Harriet Sperling, who earlier this week announced their plans to wed in June. This Easter outing is the first formal family event at which Harriet has been present, with her daughter Georgina, 15, joining Peter’s daughters Savannah and Isla.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were absent, having received permission from the King to make alternative arrangements.
This follows Beatrice and Eugenie’s participation in the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham just three months ago. Their invitation and acceptance were viewed as a strong show of support from the King, who empathised with their situation.
Since then, both women have appeared in the latest batch of Epstein files released by the US State Department in January, while their father was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid the scandal surrounding his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Royal Easter celebrations began on Thursday when Charles distributed the traditional Royal Maundy gifts at a special service. He was accompanied by Camilla at St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales, where he handed out Maundy Money to 77 men and 77 women who have demonstrated exceptional Christian service and made a positive impact on their communities.
