The grounds of Windsor Castle provided a familiar backdrop as Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children joined the royal family for the 2026 Easter service. The gathering at St. George's Chapel on April 5 marked a significant moment of visibility. It was the Wales family's first appearance at the traditional holiday event since 2023. The public was eager to see them.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla led the procession. Camilla anchored the visual palette in a striking red coat and matching hat.
The Princess of Wales had been notably absent from the past two Easter gatherings due to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy. Her announcement last year that the illness is in remission shifted the tone of this year's event entirely. The 44-year-old royal arrived with a quiet confidence alongside her three children. Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, walked close by.
Their presence signaled a very clear return to royal stability.
Yet the congregation inside St. George's Chapel revealed glaring absences. The guest list was heavily streamlined. The former Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson were officially excluded from the 2026 ceremony.
This institutional distancing follows a severe escalation of legal troubles. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The U.S. Justice Department had previously released documents exposing further communications between him and the late Jeffrey Epstein. Consequently, King Charles decisively stripped his brother of his remaining royal titles last year.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also skipped the event. A palace insider confirmed the sisters chose to make alternative holiday plans.
The optics of the day were heavily managed by Buckingham Palace. King Charles, acting as the supreme governor of the Church of England, was formally greeted by the Dean of Windsor, Christopher Cocksworth. The monarch opted not to deliver an Easter message. He instead focused on projecting a quiet, united family front ahead of a highly scrutinized state visit to the United States scheduled for later this month.
Several other regular attendees were absent for varying reasons.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was reported to be under the weather. Her absence marked her third consecutive missed royal engagement. Her husband Prince Edward and their son James, Earl of Wessex, attended in her place.
The broader royal family filled the remaining spaces. Princess Anne attended with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel were present. Peter Phillips arrived with his fiancée Harriet Sperling and their daughters. The visual message was one of a tightened core group stepping forward to represent the crown during a complex era.
External pressures still loomed heavily over the royal household. The dark shadow of the Epstein scandal continues to generate global headlines.
The family of Virginia Giuffre recently urged King Charles to meet with survivors during his upcoming American tour. Giuffre had previously accused the late financier of trafficking her to Mountbatten-Windsor when she was 17. The disgraced former royal has continually denied these allegations. He reached a civil settlement with Giuffre in 2022 without admitting any wrongdoing.
The royal institution clearly wishes to distance itself from him.
Meanwhile, a separate historic moment occurred in Canterbury. Archbishop Sarah Mullally delivered her first Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral. She is the first woman to hold the position in the history of the church.
The real estate shuffle surrounding the disgraced former prince further underscores his exile. In February, he was forced to vacate his longtime home at the Royal Lodge on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Mountbatten-Windsor now resides on the king's privately owned Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. The relocation places him over one hundred miles away from the epicenter of the monarchy and its public ceremonies.
This physical distance mirrors his current standing within the family. The crown is clearly finalizing a permanent separation.
The working royals who remain are shouldering a demanding schedule. The Duchess of Edinburgh had just returned from a relentless itinerary. She traveled to Italy for the Paralympics and visited New York for a United Nations meeting.
Her recent physical exhaustion is entirely understandable now.
The absence of younger royals also shifted the generational balance of the day. Lady Louise remained in Scotland to continue her studies at St. Andrews University. This left the spotlight firmly fixed on the Wales children. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis demonstrated remarkable poise as they navigated the crowds of well-wishers gathered outside the chapel.
The monarchy is currently leaning on its most reliable figures. William and Kate provide the necessary anchor for public trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kate Middleton miss the Easter service in 2024 and 2025?
The Princess of Wales was absent due to her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatments. She announced last year that her cancer is now in remission.
Why was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor absent from the 2026 Easter service?
He was officially excluded from the event following his arrest in February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. King Charles has also stripped him of his remaining royal titles.
Did Sarah Ferguson attend the 2026 royal Easter service?
No. Sarah Ferguson was excluded from the service this year due to ongoing controversies tied to the Jeffrey Epstein files. She previously attended the event alongside the family in 2025.
Who attended the 2026 Easter service with Prince William and Kate Middleton?
The couple attended with their three children. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis all joined the traditional walk to St. George's Chapel.
Where does the royal family celebrate Easter?
The British royal family traditionally celebrates Easter Sunday at Windsor Castle. They attend the Mattins service at St. George's Chapel located on the castle grounds.
Why was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, not at the Easter service?
The Duchess of Edinburgh was reportedly feeling under the weather following a busy travel schedule. Her husband Prince Edward and son James, Earl of Wessex, attended the ceremony in her place.
