King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive at today’s Easter Sunday service in the state Bentley as he makes a ‘gentle’ return to public life before taking their places slightly apart from the rest of the royals.
Last year the monarch led his family on foot to St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where he was joined by William, Kate and their three children.
But this year he is expected to be driven to the door in his maroon Bentley limousine, the Sunday Express reports.
The first royal appearance since the King started receiving treatment for cancer, the event will signal a ‘gentle’ return to the public stage, insiders told the paper.
And Charles will sit with Queen Camilla but apart from other Royals to shield him from infection during his treatment.
The King’s planned attendance at the service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, is a ‘sign of things heading in the right direction’, a palace source told The Telegraph.
This year the King is expected to be driven to the door in his maroon Bentley limousine. Pictured: Leaving Windsor Castle earlier this week
The King leaves his customised Bentley limousine, which has a Welsh dragon as a mascot instead of the traditional Flying B
Camilla and King Charles attend the traditional Easter Sunday Matins Service at St George’s Chapel in 2023
Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall, accompanied by Mia, 9, and Lena, 4, arrive with the Prince and Princess of Wales and other members of the Royal Family to attend the Easter Sunday church service in 2023
It comes a week after the monarch’s daughter-in-law Kate revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
William and Kate will not attend the service, which is unlikely to be a large family gathering or service while Charles has paused public-facing royal duties.
Instead, Prince Andrew will head the procession of the remaining royals as they arrive at the chapel.
This follows royal protocol – despite Prince Edward having been endorsed as the leading figure during Charles’ treatment.
Charles and Queen Camilla will go to the Easter Matins Service – as it is officially known – from 10.45am until 11.45am, according to the chapel.
The service will be preceded by holy communion from 8.30am until 9am. There will also be a Said Eucharist from 12pm to 12.45pm, then evensong at 3.30pm to 4.15pm.
And he and Camilla will neither attend a reception nor host a private family lunch after the service as per their doctors’ orders, the Sunday Express reports.
The paper says that this is to make sure the monarch does not come into contact with any potential infection.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children George, Charlotte and Louis will not be there as they spend the holidays together after Kate’s cancer diagnosis.
King Charles III during the recording of the The King’s audio message which was played at the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday
2023 – King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Princess Anne and Prince Andrew as they attend the Easter Mattins Service in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 9 last year
The Prince and Princess of Wales with George, Charlotte and Louis at the Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel on April 9, 2023
Aides have reportedly said that His Majesty’s attendance at any event is ‘to be hoped for and planned for rather than assumed’, as he continues to focus on his health.
The King has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he had an operation for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic.
William is due to return to public duties after his children return to school following the Easter break.
For now, he will continue to balance supporting his wife and family, and maintaining his official duties as he has done since her operation in January.
It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.
Charles’s Easter Sunday engagement will be seen as the King making a move to reassure the public following the shock news.
The King is still undergoing treatment for cancer himself, but has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls.
Although the Easter service is within the grounds of the castle, the King and Queen will be seen arriving, and are often watched by staff living at Windsor, who usually gather on a grassy bank nearby or watch from their doorsteps.
King Charles attends an audience in the Billiard Room at Buckingham Palace with the trustee of Windsor Leadership and Director of the Contemplative Spaces Vijaya Nath on March 26
Prince William and Kate with Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend the Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2022
Queen Camilla stood in for the King at the ancient Royal Maundy ceremony in Worcester earlier this week, marking the first time a consort has performed the duty on behalf of the monarch.
Maundy recipients and members of the public gave their well wishes to the King and the Princess of Wales as they met the Queen, who handed out ceremonial coins to people recognised for their community service in the traditional Easter service.
While her arrival was dampened by the shouts of Republic protestors, who had gathered outside the cathedral and loudly chanted ‘Down with the Crown’, the rest of the ceremony proceeded as planned.
Camilla was presented with a small bouquet of flowers, traditionally called the Nosegay, which, on request of the King, had been made by local volunteers who had picked the flowers from their garden.
In a spectacle of tradition and pageantry, Camilla then began the Maundy ritual – usually conducted by the monarch – of handing out specially minted coins to 75 men and 75 women, the number reflecting the age of the King.
Bishop John Inge then gave a blessing to the King in which he said he hoped Camilla would ‘convey to him our love and respects’.
In Charles’s speech, there was no mention of family health matters – his own cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as that of his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales.
King Charles speaks with Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust Martina Milburn as he attends an audience in the Billiard Room at Buckingham Palace on March 26
The Ambassador of Moldova, Ruslan Bolbocean presents his credentials to King Charles III on March 28
Instead, the King stressed the importance of acts of friendship ‘especially in a time of need’ in the personal Easter message.
Charles’ pre-recorded audio – his first public words since Kate revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy – was broadcast in his absence.
He said how Jesus Christ set an ‘example of how we should serve and care for each other’, and how as a nation ‘we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need’.
While the King did not directly refer to his and his daughter-in-law’s health, his words will be interpreted as reflecting on the nation’s response to his and Kate’s challenges as they continue treatment for cancer.
The Princess released an emotional video message last Friday revealing she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy.
She later was said to be ‘extremely moved’ by the public support following her announcement.
The King told last month how he had been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he received from well-wishers.
The 75-year-old, who only acceded to the throne 18 months ago, also reamplified his Coronation pledge ‘not to be served but to serve’.
He held onto his mother’s hand and glanced seriously at the waiting media, while the Princess offered a brief smile and a greeting
He has recorded a Bible reading and, in his brief personal message, will describe the Maundy money recipients as ‘wonderful examples of such kindness’ in ‘giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities’.
He will also re-amplify his own Coronation pledge: ‘Not to be served but to serve.’
It was recorded as an audio instead of on video as Worcester Cathedral does not have the capacity to play a television message.
At last year’s service, the King and Queen attended along with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Sophie and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Charles and Camilla wore matching royal blue outfits, with the King in a suit and the Queen Consort wearing a coat dress by Anna Valentine with a Philip Treacy hat.
They left the service separately, with Camilla stopping to receive a bouquet from Harriet, 10. Camilla waved to members of the public and wished them a ‘Happy Easter’, before getting into a waiting car.
Charles also greeted the crowd, receiving a round of applause as he left the Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel, in the shadow of Windsor Castle, a few minutes later.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended with their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
Four-year-old Prince Louis made his debut, holding the hand of his mother, the Princess of Wales.
He glanced seriously at the waiting media as he entered and later left the service, while the Princess offered a brief smile and a greeting. His elder sister Charlotte gave a sweet hello to well wishers watching on.
