Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Andrew and Fergie arrived with Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, in a car. Fergie stopped to wave to the public and stayed outside chatting while the Duke of York made a beeline inside.
His attendance had not been anticipated, as he bowed out of the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham last year amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged spy. Andrew spent the festivities with his ex-wife, who he remains close to, at the home they share in Windsor, Royal Lodge.
It marks the second time the Duchess of York has attended the service since she divorced Andrew in 1996, having joined the Duke for the service last year.
Other senior royals then arrived on foot, led by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their son James, Earl of Wessex, 17.
The York daughters joined them, with Princess Eugenie wearing a striking white coat and matching hat as she walked beside her husband Jack Brooksbank. Princess Eugenie, who gave birth prematurely in January, followed behind with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Lady Sarah Chatto, her husband Daniel and the Earl of Snowdon arrived just moments later by car.
Andrew then rejoined the fold as the royals waited for the King and Queen to arrive.
They all then headed inside for the hour-long Easter Mattins Service, which featured hymns Te Deum Laudamus, Abbot’s Leigh and Maccabaeus as well as readings of the First and Second Lesson.
The service concluded with The Blessing and a rousing rendition of the National Anthem, with the Royal party heading to the Deanery for some tea and cakes.
The King and Queen were the first to leave via the Deanery where Camilla, who was wearing a pale blue embroidered dress and matching hat, was presented with a posy by a young girl.
She bent down to chat to the youngster and a young boy, who didn’t want to be named, and told them: “Happy Easter, thank you so much!”
The couple then conducted a brief impromptu walkabout, shaking hands and greeting the cheering crowd.
The Queen, clutching the bouquet of flowers, said hello to several well-wishers and said: “How nice to see you, Happy Easter.” When one person handed her a card, she said: “Thank you very much.”
Several steps ahead of her, the King also greeted members of the public and as he headed back to his waiting car, he told them: “Have a very Happy Easter.” One woman shouted out in response: “Happy Easter, Sir!”
Moments later, the York sisters emerged from the Deanery with their husbands, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their son. Princess Anne, who appeared to be using a large umbrella as a walking aide, went to a waiting car with her husband.
The Duke and Duchess of York were the last to leave, with Fergie smiling and waving to the cameras while Andrew making a hasty retreat to join his brother and sister in law on the short walk up the hill towards the Castle.
Carl Adekola, 18, and his mother, Claire Myers-Lamptey, attended the service and said they love attending each year.
They were invited as Carl was a former chorister at St George’s Chapel, and this year marks 10 years since he first joined the choir.
He was a chorister for five years, from the ages of eight to 13, and sung at two royal weddings: the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s in May 2018 and Princess Eugenie’s five months later.
“I used to sing the songs that they were singing today, so it was very nice, very nostalgic,” Carl said.
Asked what it was like to be watching the service rather than taking part in it, he said: “It was a really good experience, quite weird, but it still sounds amazing and I always like to come back if I can.”
Claire added: “We did, it’s always nice coming on Easter Sunday because you get a real mix of tourists and people who have an affiliation with the chapel, whether they were past choristas or attended the school.
“We got a view, it was so nice to see everyone.
“Obviously, the Prince and Princess of Wales didn’t come but it was really interesting to see Fergie, Duchess of York, walk in with the Duke of York. That is quite a bold statement.
“And also to see Princess Beatrice because she has just recently had her baby. Everyone gets excited when they see Princess Anne.
“The King looked in great spirits and he came and said hello and it’s nice to see the Queen in light blue, in spring colours.”
On Thursday, the King shared an Easter message where he focused on the power of “faith, hope and love” as he sought to build bridges between different faiths.
He said: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness.”