Royal Easter plans: who showed up and who didn’t
# **A Royal Easter: Tradition, Absences, and Lingering Shadows**
## **A Familiar Gathering, With Notable Omissions**
Every Easter, the British royal family gathers at **Windsor Castle** for the sacred **Easter Matins** at **St George’s Chapel**—a tradition woven into centuries of monarchy. Yet 2024’s service carried an air of quiet change.
**King Charles III** and **Queen Camilla** were present, as were **Prince William, Catherine, and their three children**, their presence offering a glimpse of continuity. The **Dean of Windsor** welcomed them warmly, and Camilla even received a small bouquet from a well-wisher in the crowd.
Yet some familiar faces were absent. **Prince Edward** and **Princess Anne** completed the royal turnout, but **Prince Andrew** and his daughters, **Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie**, were notably missing. A royal aide clarified their absence was their own decision—not the King’s. Last year, Andrew had stood beside Charles; this year, he stayed away entirely.
A New Voice in an Age-Old Sermon
That same weekend, the Archbishop of Canterbury—now a woman for the first time in history—delivered her inaugural Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral. Her message highlighted how modern traditions evolve while ancient rituals endure, a subtle reminder that even the most hallowed customs are not immune to change.
The Unanswered Questions of the Past
Behind the scenes, an old controversy resurfaced. U.S. activists urged Charles to meet with Epstein accusers during an upcoming trip, citing the anniversary of one accuser’s death. The request carried weight: Prince Andrew had settled privately with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, though he maintained he never met her in the manner she alleged.
The question lingers: How much of yesterday’s choices must today’s royals still answer for?
Easter, a time of renewal, offers no easy answers—only the quiet weight of history and the unspoken tensions beneath the gilded traditions.
