This Easter, Prince William and Princess Kate opted to stay out of the royal spotlight and did not attend the traditional mass at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Instead of appearing with the rest of the family, they spent the long weekend at their country residence in Norfolk with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.
A decision that, while it drew attention for being one of the most visible events of the royal Easter, is not entirely unusual in their track record.
Absence of the William and Kate at Easter mass
Since they married in 2011, they have had several absences. In 2014, it coincided with an official tour of Australia and New Zealand, where they attended an Easter service in Sydney without their little George.
The following year, Kate was pregnant with Charlotte and dealing with symptoms of hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe condition during pregnancy that kept her away from public engagements.
It was only in 2017 that they began to attend more regularly, joining the event with Queen Elizabeth and later incorporating their children.
In 2020 and 2021, the pandemic forced the tradition to be suspended, and in 2024, after the announcement of Kate’s cancer diagnosis, the family was absent again.
So it’s no surprise that this year they opted to stay home as well, especially considering the princess’s recovery process following her cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family’s holiday tradition this Easter.
They were joined by Princess Anne with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh with her son James, Earl of Wessex.
A surprising presence was that of Prince Andrew with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.
Also in attendance were Princess Beatrice with Edoardo Mapelli and Princess Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank.
Rounding out the royals were Princess Margaret’s two sons, the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah, along with Sarah’s husband, David Chatto.