WINDSOR, England (CU)_The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had an Easter first this year, as they were joined by their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, for the Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Several members of the royal family stepped out on Sunday (17 April) to attend the annual service, but without their matriarch.
Queen Elizabeth, who will celebrate her 96th birthday this month, was notably missing from the outing. As the head of the Church of England, Her Majesty attends services regularly or has been able to worship online, in the event that she cannot attend in person. However, earlier this week, it was confirmed that the monarch will not take part in the annual Easter outing. She also missed her Maundy Thursday tradition, the annual Royal Maundy Service, which involves the distribution of specially-minted coins known as Maundy money by a member of the royal family. This year, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall took her place at the event.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Cambridges were joined by several other members of the royal family for the service at St. George’s Chapel, including Prince Edward, his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex and their two children: Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn. The Queen’s granddaughter Zara was also in attendance with her husband, Mike, and their eldest daughter, Mia. Princess Eugenie was spotted entering mass with cousin Peter Phillips and his two daughters, Savannah and Isla. Princess Margaret’s daughter Sarah Chatto, her husband Daniel and their sons, Arthur and Samuel, were also among the members of the royal family who were in attendance.
The Queen, on the other hand, was staying at her apartments in Windsor Castle, where family members were expected to stop by following the church service to wish her a happy holiday. Days before the Easter gathering, Her Majesty spent time with her grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, who visited the monarch at her Windsor Castle residence on their way to the Invictus Games in Netherlands. It marked the first time the young royals returned to the UK as a couple since they stepped back from royal duties back in 2020.
