Zara Tindall’s Easter weekend might look a little different this year.
Earlier this week, Buckingham PalaceconfirmedthatKing Charles, 75, andQueen Camilla, 76, would attend the traditional Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday. The monarch’s doctors have advised that helimit the number of peoplehe comes in contact with during hiscancer treatment, and the Easter Mattins Service is expected to be smaller scale than usual.
The King postponed public-facing duties but continued to hostsmall audiencesbehind the scenes since the diagnosis was publicized in February.
Confirmation of the monarch’s holiday plans came after it emerged that hehoped to attendchurch on Easter. A royal source tells PEOPLE that King Charles is “progressing well” in his treatment, and there is an “amplified confidence” in the light of the sophisticated treatment he is receiving.
“He is positive, the doctors are optimistic,” the source says.
In a recorded message for the Royal Maundy Service on Thursday, the King expressed “great sadness” that he could not be at the centuries-old pre-Easter tradition. Queen Camilla stepped in his stead at the event at Worcester Cathedral, reportedly becoming the first consort to distribute Maundy money to local pensioners at the ceremony, which parallels Jesus washing the Apostles’ feet at the Last Supper.
JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
While some members of the royal family may join the King and Queen at St. George’s Chapel on Sunday,Prince WilliamandKate Middletonwon’t be among them. It’s understood that the Prince and Princess of Wales are spending the holiday weekend privately at home with their childrenPrince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louisone week after Princess Kate announced that she has cancer.
In avulnerable video messagereleased last Friday, the Princess of Wales, 42, shared that she is undergoing “preventative chemotherapy” after tests following herabdominal surgeryin January “found cancer had been present.” Princess Kate explained that her condition was thought to be non-cancerous when she had surgery and described the diagnosis a “huge shock.”
“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” Princess Kate said in the message, referring to her young children and husband.
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Mia Tindall, Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall and Lena Tindall attend church on Easter 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Last April, the royal family wasout in full forcefor the first Easter of King Charles’ reign. The King and Queen led Princess Anne,Prince Andrew,Prince Edward,Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence and more for the walk into St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Prince Louis and Kate Middleton attend church on Easter 2023.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
source: people.com
