King Charles attends Easter Mass at church in his most significant public appearance since his cancer diagnosis

Windsor, England
CNN
—

King Charles III He made his most important outing since then Diagnosed with cancer Last month, attend the traditional Easter Matins Church Service In Windsor on Sunday.

Charles (75 years old) appeared in good spirits when he arrived by car at St. George's Chapel, a fourteenth-century building on the grounds of Windsor Castle, about an hour's drive from London. He was accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, to the event, which is a key event in the royal calendar.

Typically, the extended royal family gathers for Easter at Windsor Castle before heading to church together. Their arrival is usually monitored by staff who live in Windsor, either from a nearby grass bank or from their doorstep.

The royal couple waved happily to a crowd of well-wishers before making their way into the church through the Galilee portico.

A member of the audience called on the British monarch to have a “Happy Easter,” and he replied, “And to you.”

Anne Daly, a retired air hostess, was one of those who waited several hours outside the church for the king's arrival. She told CNN she made the three-hour train journey from the Welsh capital, Cardiff, to “support him” and the Princess of Wales after they were diagnosed with cancer.

“He looked great. He smiled at me and laughed a little, and he loved the Welsh flag,” she added.

This year's celebration is more subdued, with fewer royals in attendance to reduce the king's contact with others during his treatment.

The King and Queen sat separately from the rest of the main congregation for the one-hour service.

As well as the late Queen Elizabeth II She sat separately for her loved ones When she attended the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, which took place amid strict pandemic regulations in 2021.

The king's siblings were the first family members to arrive. Prince Edward and Sophie – the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh – were accompanied by their son James, Earl of Wessex. They were followed by the King's sister, Princess Anne – who quickly waved to the crowd – and her husband Tim Lawrence, as well as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

After the service, a young boy presented Camilla with a bouquet of white and yellow flowers as the royal couple left the church.

With more shouts of “Happy Easter”, Charles impressed well-wishers when he unexpectedly made his way to them, sparking applause from the audience. During the surprise tour he seemed relaxed, stopping to chat at various points and shaking hands.

It was not clear whether Charles would attend the usual family lunch after the service. In the coming days, he and Camila are said to be taking a break for Easter.

The King's presence will be an encouraging sight for many royal watchers after he temporarily halted his public engagements on the advice of his doctors.

However, he has maintained a steady hand in the running of things, overseeing state business and official paperwork through his daily red boxes from the UK government while keeping private public diaries in addition to his regular weekly meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

In recent days, he received the new ambassadors of Moldova and Burundi at Buckingham Palace, met the Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, and met with a group of community and religious leaders from across the UK.

Charles sought to reassure the nation that he was dealing with constitutional issues behind the scenes Personal message before the Easter holidays.

In a recorded audio address to the annual Royal Maundy service on Thursday, he repeated his coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve” “with all my heart”.

He also expressed his “deep sadness” that he was unable to join the congregation, saying the service “holds a very special place in my heart.”

The Queen delegated on her husband's behalf to distribute traditional Maundi money – specially minted coins – to people in appreciation of their service to the church and the local community.

Noticeably absent from Sunday's Easter celebrations were the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. The Welsh were in attendance last year with Prince Louis making his first appearance at a family outing to the delight of royal watchers.

The family of five have been quiet since Catherine made the revelation just over a week ago I started chemotherapy for cancer It was found in post-operative tests after a planned abdominal surgery in January.

The Welsh spend the Easter holidays together as they continue to cope with Kate's diagnosis.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said last Saturday that the prince and princess were “Very touched by the audience's warmth and support.” They were “grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”

Kate has not been seen in an official capacity since Christmas Day. Easter was initially suggested by Kensington Palace as the period in which she would resume her post-operative duties. However, her return has been postponed until her medical team allows her to do so.

Prince William is expected to resume public engagements in mid-April once Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis resume school.