Buckingham Palace has officially announced that King Charles and Queen Camilla will lead members of the royal family at the upcoming Easter Sunday church service.
This marks a significant moment as it will be the first major event attended by the king since his cancer diagnosis was disclosed at the beginning of February. The confirmation from the palace signals the belief of his doctors that he is sufficiently recovered to engage with more people, despite ongoing treatment.
Traditionally held at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, this year's Easter service will see some adjustments to limit attendance, considering the king's health. Notably absent will be the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are prioritizing Princess Catherine's recovery after her cancer diagnosis last year. However, the event did mark the public debut of their youngest child, Prince Lewis, joining his siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
With a focus on family wellbeing, Prince William will take a break from royal duties over the Easter holiday, returning to work at the start of the new school term on April 17th. Meanwhile, speculation arises regarding Prince Harry's attendance, as he plans to visit Catherine next Monday. While it's uncertain if he'll receive an invitation, his spokesperson revealed his intention to return, possibly as early as Saturday.
In recent years, the Easter service has drawn significant royal attendance, akin to the Christmas Day festivities. Regular attendees include Princess Anne and her husband, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and other members of the royal family. Notably, Prince Andrew and his children, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, often attend with their respective spouses, while Mike and Sara Tindle have been seen with their daughters, Lena and Mia.
Despite rumors of private outreach from Prince Harry to reconcile with his brother and sister-in-law, Prince William and Princess Catherine, tensions seem to persist. Reports indicate that the future king is hesitant to forgive Harry and Meghan for their departure from the royal family and subsequent revelations. While there's hope for improved relations, the prospect of a reunion among the so-called "Fab Four" remains uncertain, with insiders suggesting a reconciliation is not imminent.
Palace insiders reveal a firm stance from Queen Elizabeth, indicating that the royal family expects adherence to their standards, with no room for partial commitments or exploitation of the royal name. The breaches of protocol and public criticism have strained relations, making any reconciliation appear unlikely.
