Princess Kate and Prince William missed out on an Easter service today as other senior members of the Royal Family stepped out to celebrate.
The royal couple skipped the annual Easter church service in Windsor in light of Kate’s cancer diagnosis.
King Charles led the Royal Family at the service in what was his first official public engagement since his cancer diagnosis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales usually attend the service with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are on holiday with their three children
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However, this year’s turnout was far smaller with only Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of York joining the King and the Queen.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Wales family would not be attending the Easter Sunday service as Kate continues preventative chemotherapy.
During her video announcement revealing her cancer diagnosis, Princess Kate said: “We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
At Windsor today, the King looked in good spirits as he shook hands with well-wishers waiting outside of St. George’s Chapel.
The Wales family attending the Easter service in 2023
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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are spending their Easter holidays in Norfolk with their parents.
The family are staying at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham Estate for a “restful period” during the school holidays.
Royal commentator, Richard Fitzwilliam, told GB News that the family “will be at their country home in Anmer Hall and reportedly plan to have a restful period before the school holidays end in mid-April when William plans to return to royal duties.”
An aide said “All he [William] wants to do is protect his wife and children.
Princess Kate did not attend the service with her family as she steps back from public-facing duties
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“The family just want to go away for Easter, spend time together, the five of them, close off from the world and move on.”
The Princess talked about the “huge shock” of her cancer diagnosis after she underwent a planned abdominal surgery in January.
She said: “In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful.
“However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.
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Kensington Palace“This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
The Prince of Wales is supporting his wife during her treatment and “doesn’t let Kate feel isolated,” according to sources.
The source said: “He is a very reliable, strong person. She doesn’t feel isolated in this because of William, who is right beside her.
“This is about supporting her and her feeling supported. It is a joint effort. She doesn’t feel isolated at all.”
Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, and her two siblings, Pippa and James are also expected to be on hand to help support the family.