In a good mood at Easter

“Milestone”: Breathe a sigh of relief after Charles’ appearance

Royal experts see the fact that King Charles made his first major appearance on Easter Sunday as a positive sign.

(Bild: APA/Hollie Adams/Pool Photo via AP)

For the first time since his cancer became known, King Charles showed himself to his subjects at Easter with charm and apparently in a good mood. The appearance at the Easter service in Windsor is reportedly not the starting signal for a permanent return to normality, but according to royal experts it is an important milestone for the British royal family, which has recently been ravaged by illness.

The 75-year-old monarch and his wife Queen Camilla (76) appeared smiling and waving as they entered St. George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday. When someone shouted "Happy Easter!" from a group of onlookers, the King replied: "You too!"

"Must be seen"
Charles wore a dark coat and a blue tie with small ship motifs. Camilla arrived in an emerald green coat dress with a cape and matching hat. The couple had traveled the short distance from their rooms in the palace to the chapel in the forecourt in a limousine.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Easter service at Windsor Castle on Sunday.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Hollie Adams)

"I have to be seen to be believed", Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, is said to have once said. True to this motto, Charles and Camilla stepped out into the courtyard of the palace after the service, where they were greeted with cheers and applause. The couple shook hands with a few onlookers and chatted to them before getting back into the car.

"Welcome milestone"
The appearance was seen by royal household experts as a significant sign. Charles had previously only appeared in public at a distance or received individual guests or at most small groups behind closed doors.

After the service, King Charles shook hands and was celebrated by Royal fans.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Hollie Adams)

According to the editor-in-chief of "Majesty Magazine", Joe Little, the fact that he now appeared up close again for the first time was a "very welcome milestone on the road to recovery", as he told the British news agency PA. After reports of a crisis and instability in the royal family, people's confidence should now be boosted that all is well, Little added.

Kate and William were absent
Not present at the Easter service were heir to the throne Prince William (41) and his wife Princess Kate (42). She had recently informed the public in a very personal video message that she had been diagnosed with cancer following a major abdominal operation in January. She has since started preventative chemotherapy. Kate asked that her privacy and that of her family be respected.

According to reports, the couple had retreated to the country estate of Anmer Hall in the east English county of Norfolk over the vacations with their children - Prince George (10), Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (5). Prior to this, there had been wild speculation on social media about Kate's state of health.

Criticism of Prince Andrew's presence
Other royals such as Charles' sister Princess Anne (73) and her husband Timothy Laurence (69) as well as Prince Edward (60) and his wife Duchess Sophie (59) also attended the Easter service. Prince Andrew (64), who fell into disrepute due to his involvement in the Epstein abuse scandal, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (64), who also made cancer diagnoses public last year, were also present.

Prince Andrew's presence on Easter Sunday drew criticism.

(Bild: APA/AFP/JUSTIN TALLIS)

Andrew's presence provoked criticism. "As many already suspected, Andrew's withdrawal from many parts of public life was all about PR, not standards of accountability," said the head of the anti-monarchy organization Republic, Graham Smith, according to a statement.

Andrew resigned from his public duties for the royal family in 2019 after allegations were made against him. He was later also forced to renounce his military ranks and the title "Your Royal Highness". Although he always denied any wrongdoing, he reached a multi-million settlement in 2022 with the US American Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of abusing her as a minor.