The British royal family gathered on Sunday, April 20, for the traditional Easter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, but the absence of two key figures drew significant attention. Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, chose not to attend the event for the second consecutive year. Instead, the family spent the holiday at their country residence, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, focusing on private family time before the children returned to school. While last year’s absence was widely understood due to Kate’s cancer diagnosis, this year’s decision, following her announced remission in January, surprised royal watchers. The presence of other royals, including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and the controversial Prince Andrew, further highlighted the couple’s absence.
Easter is one of the most significant occasions in the royal calendar, serving as both a religious celebration and a moment to reinforce family bonds and public traditions. The absence of William and Kate, who are central figures in the monarchy, was seen as a break from this established practice. However, their choice reflects a growing trend of balancing royal duties with family life, particularly after a challenging year marked by health concerns and reduced public engagements.
Meanwhile, Prince Andrew’s attendance at the service reignited debates about his role within the royal family. Accompanied by his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Andrew made a rare public appearance, contrasting with William and Kate’s discretion. This family dynamic became a focal point, with analysts noting potential tensions or shifts in the monarchy’s priorities.
Context behind William and Kate’s absence
The decision by William and Kate to forego the Easter service is not entirely unexpected given recent events. In 2024, their absence was broadly accepted, as Kate had announced her cancer diagnosis weeks earlier. At the time, she was undergoing treatment, and the couple opted for a private holiday to prioritize her health and their children’s well-being. This year, with Kate in remission and gradually resuming public duties, many anticipated the family’s return to the tradition.
However, their choice to remain in Norfolk suggests a cautious approach. William, who described 2024 as the “most brutal year” of his life, has emphasized supporting his wife and his father, King Charles III, who is also battling an unspecified form of cancer. Prioritizing time with George, Charlotte, and Louis during the school holidays reflects an effort to maintain normalcy for the children, who are increasingly exposed to royal events.
Additionally, the family has enjoyed recent recreational activities, such as a ski trip to the French Alps and attending Aston Villa football matches, a club favored by William and George. These low-key outings indicate a desire to create family memories away from the public eye, even if it means forgoing traditional commitments.
- Family first: William and Kate have scaled back public engagements to focus on their children during school breaks.
- Health priority: Kate’s recovery, even in remission, requires a gradual return to royal duties.
- Tradition versus privacy: Their Easter absence underscores the balance between royal obligations and personal life.
Impact on the monarchy’s image
The absence of William and Kate at Easter did not go unnoticed by royal observers, who view the decision as a milestone in the evolution of the modern monarchy. As the future king and queen, the couple is expected to lead significant events, and their choice to step back from a symbolic tradition raised questions about the future of public royal appearances. Some analysts suggest this reflects a more flexible monarchy, attuned to its members’ personal needs, while others see it as a potential sign of disinterest in certain conventions.
In contrast, Prince Andrew’s presence at the event created an uncomfortable juxtaposition. Stripped of royal duties since 2019 due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and sexual abuse allegations, Andrew continues to appear at family events, which many view as contradictory. His attendance, alongside Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah Ferguson, was interpreted as an attempt to maintain relevance, even on the monarchy’s fringes.
This dynamic among royal family members became a focal point. While William and Kate seek to protect their privacy, others, like Andrew, appear eager to retain visibility. This tension reflects the challenges the monarchy faces in balancing tradition, modernity, and public scrutiny.
Easter traditions of the royal family
The Easter service at St. George’s Chapel is a long-standing tradition, dating back decades during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. The event brings the royal family together for religious reflection and strengthens their connection with the public, who often gather to greet them. William and Kate have regularly attended since 2017, except in 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic canceled public celebrations.
In 2023, the family made a notable appearance, with Prince Louis, then five, joining George and Charlotte for his debut at the service. The image of the young prince walking alongside his parents, all coordinated in shades of blue, was widely shared, symbolizing the monarchy’s continuity. This year’s absence broke a streak of appearances that had become anticipated by royal enthusiasts.
Easter also includes private traditions. William and Kate have shared that their children participate in Easter egg hunts, a practice dating back to Queen Victoria’s time. These activities, held in settings like Anmer Hall, provide the children with a sense of normalcy, away from Windsor’s formalities.
Reasons for choosing Norfolk
Opting for Anmer Hall during Easter is not just about privacy but also a strategy to preserve the family’s mental and physical health. Kate, who completed chemotherapy in September 2024, has highlighted the role of nature in her recovery. In a recent video filmed in the Lake District, she described how natural environments offer “peace” and “spiritual reconnection.” Anmer Hall, located on the expansive Sandringham estate, provides this sanctuary, with vast gardens and space for outdoor activities.
William has taken a more active role as a father during Kate’s recovery. His decision to attend Aston Villa matches with George, such as the game against Paris Saint-Germain in April, reflects an effort to bond with his children. These experiences, as William has noted, are vital for creating lasting memories, particularly for George, who, at 11, is beginning to understand his future as second in line to the throne.
Choosing Norfolk also responds to media pressures. Unauthorized photos of the family during their Alps ski trip sparked criticism from Kensington Palace, which reiterated their desire for privacy. Spending Easter at Anmer Hall, away from public view, allows the couple to better control their exposure.
- Anmer Hall retreat: The property offers privacy and space for family activities.
- Nature as therapy: Kate emphasizes the healing role of natural settings.
- Media protection: Norfolk minimizes exposure to paparazzi.
Presence of other royals
While William and Kate opted for discretion, other royals attended the St. George’s Chapel service. King Charles III, despite his cancer treatment, led the ceremony alongside Queen Camilla. The monarch’s participation, limited in recent months, was seen as a sign of resilience, particularly after missing events like the 2024 Royal Maundy Service.
Prince Andrew, however, drew attention by attending with his family. Joined by Beatrice, Eugenie, their husbands, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duke of York made an appearance many deemed strategic. Since losing his military titles and patronages in 2022, Andrew has kept a low profile, but events like Easter provide a chance for limited reentry. His presence remains contentious, especially amid recent controversy involving alleged ties to a Chinese businessman suspected of espionage.
Other royals, including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, also attended, reinforcing the tradition’s continuity. The absence of Harry and Meghan, now based in California, was unsurprising given their estrangement from the royal family since 2020.
Shifts in the modern monarchy
William and Kate’s decision to prioritize family during Easter reflects a transformation in how the monarchy operates. Unlike previous generations, which adhered to a rigid schedule of public engagements, the new generation seeks balance between duty and personal well-being. Kate has been vocal about protecting mental health, both for herself and her children.
This approach, while praised by many, also faces criticism. Some argue that missing events like Easter could weaken the monarchy’s visibility, especially as Charles and Camilla navigate health challenges. Others view the decision as a step toward a more relatable monarchy, adaptable to 21st-century demands.
The upbringing of William and Kate’s children also plays a role. George, Charlotte, and Louis attend Lambrook School, and their parents strive to ensure a relatively normal childhood. Choosing to spend Easter in Norfolk aligns with this goal, even if it means forgoing public traditions.
Timeline of Easter participation
William and Kate’s attendance at the Easter service has varied, reflecting personal circumstances and changes in the monarchy. Below is a chronology of key moments:
- 2014: William and Kate attended an Easter service in Sydney, Australia, during a royal tour, without George, then under two.
- 2017: The couple made their first joint Easter appearance in Windsor, alongside Queen Elizabeth II.
- 2018: Kate, pregnant with Louis, surprised attendees by joining William, arriving late.
- 2020-2021: The pandemic canceled public celebrations, with the family spending Easter privately.
- 2022: George and Charlotte debuted at the service, reinforcing the next generation’s role.
- 2023: Louis joined the family, marking William and Kate’s last Easter appearance.
- 2024-2025: The family opted out, prioritizing private time in Norfolk.
Debate over Andrew’s role
Prince Andrew’s Easter attendance reignited discussions about his place in the royal family. Since stepping back from public duties in 2019, following a disastrous interview about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew has appeared sporadically at family events. His presence at Easter, alongside Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah Ferguson, was seen by some as an attempt to normalize his image, but by others as a source of embarrassment.
In December 2024, Andrew faced renewed scrutiny over alleged links to a Chinese businessman suspected of espionage. He chose to skip a pre-Christmas lunch hosted by Charles, following advice from Sarah and Beatrice to maintain a low profile. His Easter appearance, therefore, contrasts with this stance, suggesting a calculated move to stay relevant within the family.
Andrew’s situation underscores the monarchy’s challenges in managing members who, though sidelined from official roles, continue to attract attention. While William and Kate aim to modernize the royal image, Andrew’s presence serves as a reminder of lingering controversies.
Future of royal traditions
William and Kate’s Easter absence raises questions about how royal traditions will evolve in the coming decades. As future leaders of the monarchy, the couple has the opportunity to reshape its role, prioritizing values like mental health, privacy, and modern public engagement. Their decision to spend Easter in Norfolk may foreshadow a less rigid approach, where traditional events are balanced with personal needs.
However, the monarchy relies on visibility to maintain relevance. The absence of central figures like William and Kate at symbolic moments can invite criticism, particularly when Charles’s health limits his agenda. The presence of other royals, such as Anne and Edward, helps fill this gap, but the absence of the future king and queen inevitably draws scrutiny.
The 2025 Easter service thus serves as a microcosm of the monarchy’s challenges: balancing tradition and modernity, managing internal controversies, and maintaining a cohesive public image. William and Kate’s choice to prioritize family, while understandable, highlights the complexity of leading an institution in transition.
Family activities in Norfolk
While the royal family gathered in Windsor, William, Kate, and their children enjoyed a quiet holiday at Anmer Hall. The property, a wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth II, has been a haven for the couple since 2015. With its expansive grounds and secluded location, Anmer Hall provides the perfect setting for activities like walks, gardening, and Easter egg hunts, which the children love.
Kate, in particular, values outdoor time. Her recent Lake District appearance, where she discussed the benefits of nature with scouts, reinforces this connection. For the children, these moments offer a chance to explore without the pressure of royal events, something William and Kate consider essential for their development.
The Norfolk Easter may also include the Middletons, Kate’s family, with whom she remains close. Carole and Michael Middleton often join private celebrations, providing additional support to Kate during her recovery.
- Easter egg hunts: A fun tradition George, Charlotte, and Louis enjoy at Anmer Hall.
- Outdoor activities: Walks and games in the property’s gardens are common.
- Middleton bonds: Kate’s family frequently joins private festivities.