King Charles Attends Easter Service in First Major Public Appearance Since His Cancer Diagnosis

On Sunday, King Charles made his most significant public appearance since beginning cancer treatment, leading the royal family in Easter service at Windsor Castle.

The King, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, arrived by car at St. George’s for the Easter morning service. He greeted the church’s clergy upon arrival, then waved to the crowd gathered outside the chapel before entering.

According to medical advice, the royal couple will be seated separately from the rest of the royal family and other attendees during the service to reduce the risk of infection. Under orders from King Charles’ doctor, neither he nor the Queen will attend the reception or host a private family lunch after the service.

Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, attended the service alongside Charles and Camilla. Several key members of the royal family were absent from the service, notably Kate Middleton, Prince William and their children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 – who did not attend as they usually would after Princess Kate’s ceremony. public announcement of her cancer diagnosis last week.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Easter Sunday at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.

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Buckingham Palace last week announced Charles’ plans to attend the service following speculation over whether he would attend amid cancer treatment. The confirmation came after it emerged the sovereign had hoped to attend church on the holiday, which was expected to be a small-scale celebration. Doctors have advised the king to limit the number of people he comes into contact with during his cancer treatment, a diagnosis the palace announced on February 5.

The monarch put her public duties on hold as she continued to work behind the scenes and entertain a small audience at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Camilla is making history by replacing King Charles at the royal Easter tradition

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended Easter Matinee at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.

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Kate, William and their children are spending the holiday weekend privately at home after the Princess of Wales, 42, shared news of her health last Friday. Princess Kate revealed she was receiving “preventive chemotherapy” after post-operative tests following her abdominal surgery in January “found that cancer was present”, although her condition was initially thought to be non-cancerous. The royal mum said she and William took time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis and asked for privacy during that time.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York, attends Easter service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.

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“We hope you will understand that as a family we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” the Princess of Wales said at the end of her video message, recorded March 20 in the gardens of Windsor Castle.

Sarah Ferguson attends Easter service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.

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Princess Kate denied the type of cancer, as did King Charles. The diagnoses mark the first time in the history of the monarchy that two senior royals are facing the disease at the same time.

“He’s always had a very good relationship with her. I don’t think it’s presumptuous to say she’s like the daughter he never had,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s cover story. “He shares with William the impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the king.”

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King Charles arrives for Easter service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.

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King Charles is “progressing well” in his treatment and there is “increased confidence” amid the sophisticated treatment he is receiving, a royal source told PEOPLE.

“He is positive, the doctors are optimistic,” adds the source.

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the Together at Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023.

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The insider says the ruler is planning a “summer diary” but will not commit to any engagements as he will rely on “medical advice closer to the time”. King Charles’ recent outings have been limited to a small number of people, but as summer approaches, more engagements could take place outdoors.

“One thing that is completely undiminished is his appetite for work,” says a royal source.

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Source: HIS Education