Prince William and Kate Middleton lead royals at Windsor Castle for Easter Sunday service as Queen misses out
PRINCE William and Kate Middleton led the Royals for today’s Easter Sunday service – but the Queen was forced to miss out.
The couple beamed alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince George at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for the traditional Easter Mattins Service.
Adorable Charlotte, six, was a mini me of her mum in a sky blue dress.
They were joined by Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.
Mike and Zara Tindall also beamed as they walked through the sunshine at today’s service.
Her brother Peter Philips was joined by his two children Isla and Savannah as he strolled alongside Princess Eugenie.
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The two cousins were pictured sharing a joke with the young royals before they made their way inside the chapel.
All the royals appeared to get the memo to wear blue as the women looked stunning in navy florals teamed with headbands and hats.
Sadly the Queen, 95, was not in attendance after Buckingham Palace previously said she was “not expected” to join other royals.
She is instead expected to mark the day at a small chapel in Windsor Castle.
Royal biographer Angela Levin told Sky News: “I don’t know how difficult it is to get in and out of the Chapel at Windsor Palace but she does have her own very small chapel within Windsor Castle and I suspect she will go there.
“I can’t imagine that she will miss saying her prayers and feeling that it actually is Easter Sunday.
“I think that’s what she’s going to do but I think it’s more of a worry that it’s now been announced that we won’t know if she’s going to attend anything until on the day so that shows how much her health goes up and down.”
It comes after the monarch was unable to attend a Maundy Thursday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this week.
She was instead represented by Prince Charles and Camilla, who will not be at today’s service.
It was the fifth time in her 70-year reign she was unable to make the important Maundy event.
HEALTH SCARES
An insider has now claimed the public must assume she is not attending future events until it is confirmed by the Palace on the day.
Her Majesty has been forced to pull out of several engagements in recent months.
She missed the Commonwealth Day ceremony last month due to concerns about her “comfort”.
The Monarch has also been seen using a walking stick over the last six months and recently told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”
But she recently received a £62,000 golf buggy to help her get around – and there are hopes this could help her fulfil future engagements.
The Queen also attended a poignant memorial service to her late husband Prince Philip on March 29.
It was her first public engagement since February 5 after she faced a number of health scares including a battle with Covid.
The event was also the first she has taken part in outside one of her homes for five and a half months since travelling to Cardiff.
But she was “actively involved” in planning the service, which featured elements Philip planned for his funeral that were banned due to Covid.
The monarch had strolled arm-in-arm with her “favourite” son Prince Andrew as the thanksgiving service began at Westminster Abbey.
But once she reached the end of the aisle, she detached herself from Andrew’s elbow and confidently made the last few steps alone.
Today’s service comes amid fears Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could “hijack and overshadow” the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee if the couple return this summer.
The pair are currently at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands where they are being followed by a Netflix film crew for their documentary.
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They flew to the event after Harry “instigated” clear-the-air talks at Windsor Castle last week.
The couple were today pictured attending day two of the event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
