The Prince and Princess of Wales as well as their three children have skipped the royals' annual Easter church service at Windsor today amid Kate's cancer diagnosis.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have led a small contingent of royals at St George's Chapel today for the annual service, which William, Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, all usually attend. However, amid a much smaller turnout for the service this year, the Wales family were among those missing from the event.
It comes after it was revealed last week that future queen Kate is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy that started in February after receiving a cancer diagnosis following her abdominal surgery in January.
The Wales family on Christmas Day last year (UK Press via Getty Images)It had been hoped before news of Kate's diagnosis last week that she and the rest of the family would be at the annual event today, which is usually a regular event in their diaries. However, the family are spending the Easter holidays together as they adjust to Kate’s diagnosis, which was discovered in post-operative tests following her major abdominal surgery.
In an emotional and heartfelt televised statement to the world last week confirming her diagnosis, Kate spoke of "an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family". But in a sign of her incredible bravery, the princess issued a message of hope for those also facing their own battle, saying: "For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone."
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King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Easter church service today (Getty Images)
The King wishes a member of the public a Happy Easter (Getty Images)Sitting outside on a dark brown park bench, in front of a lush spring backdrop of daffodils, the mum-of-three described her plight as "a huge shock" and confirmed she had, together with her husband William, personally informed their three children George 10, Charlotte, eight, and Louis, five, of her diagnosis - but told them: "I am going to be ok".
Kensington Palace said the princess decided to share her diagnosis last week as "it was the right time” as the couple’s children are now on their Easter break from school.
At Windsor today, the King looked cheery as he was joined by Queen Camilla and other royal relatives including Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, for the service. The King's own treatment for cancer was announced at the start of February, but he has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls. It is also believed this is why there is a much smaller gathering of royals at this year's service as he has paused public-facing duties during his treatment.
On Thursday, Camilla carried out the royal Easter tradition of handing out Maundy Money to pensioners at Worcester Cathedral as Charles steps back from public-facing duties, however, a special audio message from the King was played. With the head of state and the future Queen both receiving treatment for cancer the royal family faces an uncertain period.
The Princess of Wales has revealed she is having cancer treatment (BBC Studios)But the monarchy is expected to rally around to support those at the heart of the institution. A royal source previously told the Mirror : "The King has been keeping in touch with the Princess of Wales from the moment she was admitted to hospital in January and throughout her current cancer treatment. He is utterly determined to put on a show of unity for his family and reassure the public and wider world that the monarchy is stable, despite the current tumultuous period it is experiencing."
Charles has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he was treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital where Kate had abdominal surgery.
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