King Charles steps out for Easter service in first official public appearance since cancer diagnosis

King Charles steps out for Easter service in first official public appearance since cancer diagnosis

Watch: King and Queen arrive in Windsor for the Sunday Easter service

GB News
Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 31/03/2024

- 10:48

Updated: 31/03/2024

- 13:19

The King and Queen have led the Royal Family at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor

  • Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson followed the King into St.George's Chapel
  • The King is expected to sit apart from the rest of the congregation during the service to shield his health
  • Have your say: Are you happy to see King Charles return to official public duties? Just click the comment button above now

King Charles has stepped out for the Easter service in his first official public appearance since his cancer diagnosis.

The King was driven to the entrance of St. George's Chapel in Windsor alongside his wife Queen Camilla.


Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward also walked into the service behind the King and the Queen.

During the service, the King is expected to sit apart from the main congregation as recommended by his medical team to shield his health.

King Charles

King Charles has stepped out for the Sunday Easter service

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King Charles and Queen Camilla

This is the first official public engagement for the King since his diagnosis

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Princess Anne also waved to royal well-wishers outside of the church wearing a teal green long coat with brown suede boots and a matching handbag.

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson followed behind the rest of the Royal Family in another surprising appearance from the King's brother.

A palace source said that the King’s attendance is a “sign of things heading in the right direction”.

This is the first official public engagement that the King has attended since the monarch’s cancer was announced on February 5.

Princess Anne

Princess Anne stepped out in a green long jacket with marching brown gloves

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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward follow the King into the traditional Easter service

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Charles was advised by his doctors to minimize in-person contact including large public gatherings.

However, the King has continued to hold private meetings including his weekly audience with the Prime Minister and has kept up with his paperwork.

King Charles did not attend the Maundy Thursday service at Worcester Cathedral this week.

Instead, Queen Camilla made history as the first consort to hand over Royal Maundy gifts for the special ceremony.

Prince Andrew

​Prince Andrew made another surprising appearance alongside the rest of the Royal Family 

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King Charles and Queen Camilla

King Charles is expected to sit apart from the rest of the congregation during the service

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Despite not attending the religious ceremony, the King did prepare a speech which was broadcast during the service.

Charles highlighted the importance of “care and friendship”, especially in times of need.

The message was poignant in the wake of his and Princess Kate's cancer diagnoses.

The Prince and the Princess of Wales did not attend the service with their family as Kate steps back from public-facing duties in order to continue her preventative chemotherapy treatments.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are on holiday in Norfolk with their parents for the Easter break.

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King Charles

The King looked in good spirits outside of St. George's chapel Sunday morning

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The King is remaining “positive” amid his cancer treatment, according to palace sources.

A source has said that Charles is “progressing well” and that the “doctors are optimistic,” according to PEOPLE.

The King is hoping to continue attending public-facing events this summer including Trooping the Colour and a D-Day event on June 6.

Charles and his son, the Prince of Wales are planning for an overseas visit to show support for Britain’s war veterans at the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France.

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