King Charles III Attends Traditional Easter Mattins Service in Windsor

By Your Name, Staff Writer

WINDSOR, ENGLAND – Highly Respected News Website

King Charles III, accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, made his most significant outing since his recent cancer diagnosis last month. They attended the traditional Easter Mattins church service in Windsor on Sunday, marking a key event in the royal calendar.

Charles, aged 75, displayed a cheerful demeanor as he arrived by car at St. George’s Chapel, a historic 14th-century building situated on the grounds of Windsor Castle, approximately an hour’s drive from London.

Typically, the extended royal family gathers at Windsor Castle for Easter before heading to church together. Staff living at Windsor usually watch their arrivals from nearby grassy banks or their doorsteps.

The royal couple delightedly waved to a crowd of well-wishers before entering the chapel through the Galilee Porch. During the King’s arrival, a member of the public greeted him with a warm “Happy Easter,” to which Charles responded, “And to you.”

Anne Daley, a retired air stewardess who traveled from the Welsh capital, Cardiff, expressed her support for the King and the Princess of Wales following their cancer diagnoses. She commented, “He looked wonderful. He smiled at me and had a little laugh, loved the Welsh flag.”

This year’s Easter celebration was a more subdued affair, with fewer royals in attendance to minimize the King’s contact with others during his ongoing treatment.

The King and Queen sat apart from the rest of the congregation during the one-hour service.

Similarly, in 2021, the late Queen Elizabeth II sat separately from her loved ones during the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, in adherence to strict pandemic regulations.

The King’s siblings, Prince Edward, Princess Sophie, Prince Andrew, and Princess Anne, were among the first family members to arrive for the service.

As the royal couple departed the chapel, Camilla was presented with a bouquet of white and yellow flowers by a young boy.

During a surprise walkabout, Charles took the opportunity to engage with well-wishers, stopping to chat at various points and shaking hands, much to their delight.

Regarding the post-service family lunch, it remains unclear whether Charles will attend. Reports indicate that he and Camilla will take a break for Easter in the coming days.

The King’s presence at the Easter Mattins service brings encouragement to many royal-watchers, as he had temporarily paused public-facing engagements upon medical advice.

However, Charles has continued to fulfill his constitutional duties by handling state business and official paperwork, managing a diary of private audiences, and regularly meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In recent days, he met with new ambassadors and community and faith leaders, ensuring he remains actively engaged.

To reassure the nation, Charles shared a personal message ahead of Easter weekend, stating his commitment to serving with his whole heart.

Charles’s audio address for the annual Royal Maundy service reiterated his coronation pledge, pledging his service to the British public.

Expressing his “great sadness” at not being able to join the congregation personally, Charles remained engaged by handling the distribution of traditional Maundy money through his wife, the Queen.

Notably absent from the Easter festivities were the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children.

The Waleses, who attended the Easter service last year, have been spending the holiday privately together, as Princess Kate recently underwent chemotherapy for cancer.

Since Kate’s diagnosis, the family has been laying low, and her return to public duties has been postponed until she is cleared by her medical team.

Meanwhile, Prince William is expected to resume his public engagements once their children have returned to school.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace thanked the public for their support and well-wishes and appreciated their respect for the couple’s privacy during this challenging time.

Kate’s absence in official capacity has been noticeable since Christmas, and the initial plan for her return during Easter has been modified due to her ongoing treatment.

Prince William’s public engagements in mid-April will signify the further resumption of their royal duties.