King Charles greeting well-wishers after the Easter service.
King Charles surprised well-wishers by shaking hands after Sunday’s Easter church service at Windsor Castle. This marked the 75-year-old monarch’s first major public appearance since Buckingham Palace announced he was undergoing treatment for cancer in February.
Headlines declared the appearance a “show of strength” and a positive sign of his recovery. Buckingham Palace echoed this sentiment, stating that seeing the King at the Easter service was “a really positive sign” and “very encouraging.”
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla smiling at the Easter service.
The traditional Easter walk to church was scaled back this year, with the King and Queen Consort Camilla joined by the King’s siblings and their partners. Prince Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who was diagnosed with skin cancer earlier this year, was also in attendance.
Noticeably absent were the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. Last year, Prince Louis made his Easter service debut, but this year the young family opted for a private weekend together.
This decision follows the recent announcement of Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis. While the specifics of her condition remain private, the news came as a shock to the public. Prince William and Princess Kate have been focusing on managing the situation privately for the sake of their young family.
Prince William and Kate Middleton with their children during the 2022 Christmas Day church service.
In her last public appearance at Christmas, the Princess of Wales acknowledged that the past few months had been “incredibly tough” for her family and requested understanding and privacy while she undergoes treatment.
Looking ahead, there are several key royal events approaching, including the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Trooping the Colour, the King’s official birthday celebration. King Charles is reportedly keen to participate in both events.
The question remains as to who will appear alongside him. Traditionally, the Trooping the Colour concludes with the royal family assembled on the Buckingham Palace balcony. However, given the circumstances, the lineup for this year’s event on June 15th remains uncertain.
Buckingham Palace has stated that appearances for both King Charles and Princess Kate will be determined on a case-by-case basis, following the advice of their medical teams. The King’s ability to carry out his Easter engagement and interact with the public is a hopeful sign for his future participation in royal events.
