Prince William and Kate Middleton lead royals at Windsor Castle for Easter service without Queen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with their children, have joined other members of the royal family all dressed in blue for the annual Easter Sunday service.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2022 in Windsor, England. Picture: Jeff Gilbert / WPA Pool / Getty Images.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have led the British royal family, sans the Queen, into the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle.

The couple stepped out in the spring sunshine alongside Princess Charlotte and Prince George at St George’s Chapel in Windsor for the traditional Easter Mattins Service.

They were joined by Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex and their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, The Sun reports.

Mike and Zara Tindall also attended the service.

Ms Tindall’s brother Peter Philips was joined by his two children Isla and Savannah as he strolled alongside Princess Eugenie.

The two cousins were pictured sharing a laugh with the young royals before they made their way inside the chapel.

All the royals appeared to get the memo to wear blue.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Easter Matins Service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2022 in Windsor, England. Picture: Jeff Gilbert / WPA Pool /Getty Images.

The duchess donned a bespoke pastel blue, knee-length Emilia Wickstead coat dress — an outfit she once sported at a 2017 visit to Luxembourg, paired with Emmy London “Rebecca Riviera” blue-grey suede pointed court pumps. Her daughter was dressed in a blue floral Rachel Riley “Forget Me Not” smocked dress, covered by a navy blue Il Porticciolo “Roberto” cardigan, and paired with light blue tights and black shoes. William and George also twinned, wearing navy blue suits.

The Queen, 95, was not in attendance after Buckingham Palace previously said she was “not expected” to join other royals.

She is instead expected to mark the day at a small chapel in Windsor Castle.

Royal biographer Angela Levin told Sky News UK: “I can’t imagine that she will miss saying her prayers and feeling that it actually is Easter Sunday.

“I think that’s what she’s going to do but I think it’s more of a worry that it’s now been announced that we won’t know if she’s going to attend anything until on the day so that shows how much her health goes up and down.”

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte farewell Dean of Windsor, The Right Revd David Conner, at the Easter Matins Service, St George's Chapel. Picture: Jeff Gilbert-WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Her absence from the annual event comes after the monarch was unable to attend a Maundy Thursday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor this week.

She was instead represented by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. who will not be at today’s service.

It was the fifth time in her 70-year reign she was unable to make the important Maundy event.

The British royals outside Windsor Castle on April 17, 2022. Picture: Jeff Gilbert / WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Health scares

An insider has now claimed the public must assume she is not attending future events until it is confirmed by the Palace on the day.

Her Majesty has been forced to pull out of several engagements in recent months.

She missed the Commonwealth Day ceremony last month due to concerns about her “comfort”.

The monarch has also been seen using a walking stick over the last six months and recently told a visitor at Windsor Castle: “As you can see, I can’t move.”

But she recently received a £62,000 ($A110,000) golf buggy to help her get around – and there are hopes this could help her fulfil future engagements.

The Queen also attended a poignant memorial service to her late husband Prince Philip on March 29.

It was her first public engagement since February 5 after she faced a number of health scares including a battle with Covid.

The event was also the first she has taken part in outside one of her homes for five and a half months.

But she was “actively involved” in planning the service, which featured elements Philip planned for his funeral that were banned due to Covid.

The monarch had strolled arm-in-arm with her “favourite” son Prince Andrew as the thanksgiving service began at Westminster Abbey.

But once she reached the end of the aisle, she detached herself from Andrew’s elbow and confidently made the last few steps alone.

Today’s service follows reports about concerns Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could “hijack and overshadow” the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee if the couple return this summer.

The pair are currently at the Invictus Games in the Netherlands where they are being followed by a Netflix film crew for their documentary.

They flew to the event after Harry “instigated” clear-the-air talks at Windsor Castle last week.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was published here with permission.

Originally published as Prince William and Kate Middleton lead royals at Windsor Castle for Easter service without Queen