This Sunday, King Charles is set to make his first public appearance in almost two months at a Royal event since his cancer diagnosis was revealed. The 75-year-old will lead a smaller list of royal attendees at the “sacred” Easter Sunday church service held at Windsor Castle. Due to his health concerns, the King has agreed to changes in the traditional Easter diary, stepping back from public appearances but continuing his state duties. Royal author Robert Jobson believes the King will be haunted by the “ghosts of Easter’s past,” including unresolved tensions within the family and the estrangement of Prince Harry and Meghan.
Buckingham Palace has released the list of royal attendees for the Easter Sunday service. The King and Queen will be present, along with other senior royals, but some prominent members like the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle will not be attending. Adjustments have been made to the event to protect the King’s health, including reducing the number of attendees and removing post-service receptions and private family lunches. The King and Queen will walk to and from the chapel, with a chance for the King to wave at a small crowd if the weather permits.
The Easter Sunday schedule includes the King and Queen walking to St George’s Chapel, where they will greet a small crowd and take their seats further away from the congregation. The purpose of these changes is to protect King Charles’ health and shield him from the risk of infection. The King will not attend the post-service reception or host a family lunch, and after the church service, he and the Queen will take an Easter break. The seating plan for the service will see the King seated apart from the rest of the Royal Family, in line with his medical team’s recommendations.
Royal author Jobson emphasized the significance of Easter for King Charles, given the anniversaries of loss involving his late father Prince Philip, his grandmother, the Queen Mother, and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. These memories of past Easter events will add a layer of reflection and introspection for the King this year, as he navigates his own battle with cancer. As he honors his departed family members, Jobson notes the solemnity and meaning of this Easter service for King Charles.
In preparation for the Easter Sunday service, extra precautions have been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of King Charles. The presence of fewer attendees, changes to the post-service events, and adjustments to the seating plan are all part of the strategy to protect the King’s health. Despite the challenges and personal reflections surrounding this Easter, King Charles is expected to face the public outing with courage and conviction. The focus of this year’s service will be on honoring the memory of the deceased royal family members and the challenges that lie ahead for King Charles as he continues his battle with illness. The Easter Sunday service will be a poignant and significant moment for the King and the Royal Family.
