King Charles will not be hosting the traditional Easter Sunday lunch at Windsor Castle this weekend as he takes “gentle steps” towards making a full return to public life.
The King was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and has been taking time off to receive treatment, although he will be leading the Royal Family for the Matins service at St George’s Chapel.
Modifications have been made to His Majesty’s diary as he makes his first public appearance since news of his illness broke, with tweaks having to be made to allow him to greet people outside the Chapel.
It is hoped he will be able to make the walk from the Castle, with fewer members of the family in attendance in order to protect the King from too much exposure to others.
His and Queen Camilla’s seats will also be set apart from the rest of the congregation inside the Chapel as doctors prepare the King to hopefully take up some more duties over the summer.
If all goes to plan Charles will be seen on Sunday walking to church with the Queen, entering through the Galilee Porch, and if the weather is good he will be able to greet a small crowd from a distance.
This “Easter Lite” approach means he will not attend a post-service reception or host Easter lunch at Windsor, although a royal source told The Telegraph his attendance at church is a “sign of things heading in the right direction”.
Other sources have described the plans as “turning the dial” towards getting back to his usual programme of duties, including seeing a greater number of people.
It has not been confirmed by Buckingham Palace exactly which members of the Royal Family will attend the Easter service, but the Waleses will not be there.
Prince William, Princess Kate, and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will instead be marking the occasion privately.
This news comes after it was revealed on March 22 that the Princess of Wales herself has cancer and will be undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
