Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their children were noticeably absent from the Easter church service attended by King Charles and other members of the royal family. This absence comes in the wake of Princess Kate’s recent announcement that she is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. As a result of King Charles’ ongoing cancer treatment, which began earlier this year, the Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel had a reduced gathering of the royal family.
Princess Kate Cancer Tour
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, opted to spend the weekend privately at home following Kate’s health disclosure.
Just over a week ago, on March 22, Princess Kate released a personal video message, revealing her cancer diagnosis and the subsequent chemotherapy treatment she is undergoing after abdominal surgery in January.
In her heartfelt message, Princess Kate described the diagnosis as a “huge shock” and emphasized that she and Prince William took the time to explain everything to their children.
Towards the end of the video, the Princess of Wales expressed the family’s need for time, space, and privacy during her treatment, while also reminding others navigating cancer that they are “not alone.”
It is worth noting that Princess Kate strategically chose to make the public announcement about her health after her children had finished their Easter break from the Lambrook School. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are currently enjoying time off and are not scheduled to return to the classroom until the middle of April. This school holiday provides the family with an opportunity to have private moments together and allows Kate to focus on her full recovery.
Ailsa Anderson, a former spokeswoman for Queen Elizabeth, expressed confidence in Princess Kate’s resilience, highlighting her inner strength and the support she receives from her husband and her extraordinary family. Anderson emphasized that Kate can now prioritize her recovery and getting back to full strength.
Prince William and Princess Kate have only missed a few other royal Easter church outings since their wedding in 2011. In 2014, the royal couple celebrated the holiday in Australia during a royal tour, and the following year, just one month before the birth of Princess Charlotte, they did not join Queen Elizabeth for the Easter church visit.
While the family quietly spends Easter together this year, King Charles led the traditional trip to St. George’s Chapel with a scaled-back attendance. Buckingham Palace confirmed last week that the King, aged 75, and Queen Camilla, aged 76, would attend the Easter service amid the King’s ongoing cancer treatment. The outing was planned to be more limited compared to previous years, following doctors’ advice to minimize contact with others during his treatment.
The specific type of cancer King Charles is facing has not been disclosed, but it has been confirmed that it is not prostate cancer. The simultaneous journeys of King Charles and Princess Kate through cancer mark a historic moment in the monarchy, as two senior royals face such diagnoses together.
Their shared experience strengthens their bond, and according to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, King Charles has always had a strong connection with Princess Kate, considering her as the daughter he never had. Smith further notes that both King Charles and Prince William share the instinct to protect her, emphasizing that they are facing this challenge together.
As the royal family navigates these personal health battles, their absence from public engagements reflects their need for privacy and space during this difficult time. The love and support they receive from each other, as well as from well-wishers around the world, serve as a source of strength and encouragement as they focus on their respective recoveries.
