The King radiated joy as he welcomed the presence of his grandchildren during the Royal Family’s traditional Easter Sunday service, showcasing a rare moment of familial unity.
Charles, with Queen Camilla by his side, shared a tender moment with a gleeful Princess Charlotte, giving her a light pat on the shoulder as they entered the church.
Leading the main procession, William and Kate made a stylish entrance from Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel. Kate was elegantly dressed in a cream Self Portrait dress, complemented by a Juliette Botterill hat, Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Bahrain’ pearl earrings, and carried a chic brown Demellier London bag.
Ten-year-old Charlotte, dressed in a camel coat with brown velvet accents, joyfully waved to the gathered crowd, while her younger brother, Prince Louis, confidently walked beside her.
Meanwhile, Prince George, at twelve, showed signs of another growth spurt. He not only towered over his younger siblings but was also quickly approaching his mother in height.
The King and Queen concluded the procession, arriving at the chapel in the State Bentley. Queen Camilla looked stately in a red wool crepe ensemble by Fiona Clare, paired with a Philip Treacy hat and a brooch once belonging to Queen Elizabeth II.
The King beamed broadly as he saw his family, clearly delighted at the turnout.
Also present was Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.
King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, sweetly patted a beaming Princess Charlotte on the shoulder as he made his way into church for the Royals’ traditional Easter Sunday service
It was a notably unified Royal Family on display as they arrived at the 2026 Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel, with Princess Charlotte offering a little wave
The King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, beamed broadly as he saw his family, clearly delighted at the turnout
The Duchess of Edinburgh was, apparently, ‘under the weather’ and their daughter, Lady Louise, busy studying. In addition Peter Phillips had brought along not only his fiancee, Harriet Sperling, but also her daughter, Georgina, 13, for the first time.
The couple, both of whom have been married previously, are due to wed in June. Georgina was flanked by her two stepsisters-to-be, Savannah Phillips, 15, and Isla Phillips, 14.
Princess Margaret’s daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, and her husband, Daniel, made up the family group.
Notable by their absence at the Easter Matins service were Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
With Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor banned from public family occasions and currently being investigated by police over allegations of misconduct in public office, his daughters had made alternative plans this year with the agreement of the King.
Sources have maintained they will join the Royal Family on future occasions, but in the current circumstances it was decided that they would stay away this Easter.
After the hour-long service, and a cup of tea with the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth, Charles and Camilla embarked on a shorter than normal walkabout given the unseasonably cold and blustery weather.
Among the onlookers was Frank Gates, seven, from Egremont in Cumbria, who was smartly dressed in the uniform of the Coldstream Guards and proudly saluted his Colonel-in-Chief – the King.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, clutching a bouquet, looked happy and healthy as they turned out for Royal Family’s annual Easter Sunday service
Prince Louis shakes hands as Princess Charlotte and their father Prince William look on
King Charles waves to onlookers patiently waiting for a glimpse of the royals as he arrives at the service
Before their arrival he said: ‘I really want to be in the Coldstream Guards when I am older.’ Asked why, he said sweetly: ‘Because they are second to none.’
Royal ‘superfan’ John Loughrey, from south London, said afterwards that His Majesty had spotted their flags: ‘He said he had seen our flags and wished us happy Easter.’
As the car drew away, the other members of the royal party came up the steps, led by the Waleses, who all – children included – waved happily to well-wishers wishing them ‘Happy Easter’.
As they walked back up the hill to the castle, Kate placed her arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and squeezed them in a display of maternal pride.
As perhaps was intended, the focus was very much back on the royals who were there, not the ones who were not.
