Major Prince William and Princess Kate update as pair to miss royal event

The Prince and Princess of Wales will not be joining King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family for this year’s Easter Mattins service. The royal couple, who missed the event last year as it came just weeks after Kate’s cancer diagnosis, will instead spend the Easter weekend with their children at their country home in Norfolk.

William spoke with his father about his intention to miss the annual gathering and the King agreed that they could spend the Easter weekend with their family, a source told the Daily Mirror. “They are choosing to spend time together as a family before the children go back to school”, the source added.

Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, will be heading back to school on Thursday April 24, having broken up for the Easter holidays on Friday March 28.

The family of five last attended the Easter service – a staple in the royal diary – in 2023. Prince Louis made his debut at the private family event, as he sweetly held hands with mum Kate on the short walk to church.

On Sunday, the King will lead the Royal Family at the annual Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

He will be joined by the Queen and other senior royals who are expected to attend, including Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Last year’s Easter Mattins service was a scaled-back affair, as the Princess of Wales had just commenced her cancer treatment and doctors sought to safeguard the King’s health on his first public appearance since his diagnosis.

The service was pared back with fewer royals to minimise the King’s infection risk. Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and

Duchess of Edinburgh and son James, and the Duke and Duchess of York arrived just before the King and Queen.

Steps were taken to minimise the risk involved with coming into contact with multiple people, while the King’s immune system was compromised as a result of his cancer treatment.