Royals gather for Windsor Easter Sunday service
Royals gather for Windsor Easter Sunday service
On Easter Sunday, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the royal family in a traditional service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. The event, which has become a cherished family tradition, featured the presence of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who brought their children into the chapel. Princess Charlotte, their youngest, waved to the crowd gathered behind barriers as the family entered.
Not all members of the royal family were present. Prince Andrew, his former spouse Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie had attended the event the previous year but were absent this time. The princesses opted for “alternative plans” for the holiday, a decision that sparked quiet speculation among onlookers. When the King and Queen arrived last, a spectator in the crowd loudly expressed their admiration by shouting, “God bless the King.”
Other attendees included Princess Anne, who arrived with her husband Sir Tim Laurence, and Prince Edward, accompanied by his family. The service, held at the iconic Windsor Castle venue, is considered more of a familial ritual than a formal royal duty. This year, the King chose not to deliver an Easter message, a departure from recent years. Earlier in the week, he and Camilla participated in the Maundy service in Denbighshire, Wales, where he honored 77 men and 77 women for their community service.
The royal family has been embroiled in recent scrutiny, with Prince Andrew facing ongoing investigations into misconduct in public office. Stripped of his title, he has relocated to Sandringham, Norfolk. His family’s association with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal has also raised questions about potential ties to the US sex offender. Andrew has denied any wrongdoing linked to his past connections with Epstein.
Meanwhile, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, delivered an Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral. In her address, she called for an end to “violence and destruction” in the Middle East and urged the congregation to pray “with renewed urgency” for peace amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, now in its sixth week.
“With renewed urgency, I pray for peace,” said the Archbishop in her sermon, highlighting the growing tensions in the region.
