As the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were joined at the annual Easter Sunday service by their youngest child, James, Earl of Wessex, there was one notable absence at Windsor Castle.
Lady Louise Windsor was nowhere to be seen today and missed out on the royal tradition for the second year in a row. The 20-year-old is currently studying English Literature at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, which is where Kate and William’s relationship blossomed. According to the University’s website, both the week before and the week after Easter still count as term-time.
This period is followed by two weeks of revision, with exams beginning on Saturday 20th April. It was confirmed that Lady Louise was going to attend the Scottish University in the Autumn of 2022. Lady Louise is currently in her second year of the course and also missed out on the annual Easter Sunday service last year, indicating that she may be a no-show for next year’s event due to the requirements of her degree.
St Andrews states that coursework is formed of essays, presentations, projects and creative writing portfolios, whereas exams are held at the end of each semester during a certain period.
If the royal does have to take any examinations, it is expected that she will get her results back within three weeks. Her parents Sophie and Edward looked in high spirits as she arrived at the Castle alongside Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Sarah Ferguson.
King Charles and Queen Camilla followed closely behind in a separate car. He smiled and waved to masses of royal fans who were standing outside Windsor Castle to show their support for the royal. The Duchess of Edinburgh opted for a vibrant violet tailored blazer jacket, adorned with bright gold buttons, and paired the coat with an amethyst crocodile print clutch bag and a stylish white beret, which she perched on the side of her head.
Her 16-year-old brother, James, Earl of Wessex, was also in attendance. Royal fans were shocked at his height as he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his father. The royal was pictured standing next to Prince Edward, 60, who is thought to be around 6ft tall.
Royal fans were baffled as they took to social media to express their shock over his height, adding that he was ‘so tall now’. During the service, the King in the Sovereign’s Seat, which was situated near to the front of the alter while his family took their usual places in the stalls. Well-wishers were seen standing outside the chapel this morning as they awaited the King’s arrival, holding balloons that read ‘get well soon’ as well as ‘happy Easter’.
Two royal fans, draped in the Union Jack and Welsh flag, clutched onto life-size cut outs of the King and Princess of Wales as they awaited the monarchs arrival. Anne Daley, 65, from Cardiff, Wales, held up a Welsh flag when the King arrived said: ‘Did you see the smile (Charles) gave me? He pointed at my flag. He had a lovely smile. He looked well. I think he was happy that we’ve all come.’
She added: ‘I wanted to show my support for King Charles and the Princess of Wales who we are all wishing well. We want to show them that we miss them, Wales misses her. She may not be here but she is not forgotten.’
The Easter Matins Service – as it is officially known – concluded around 11.45am. The King was applauded by members of the public as he left St George’s Chapel to cries of “Happy Easter”. Camilla was presented with a posy of white and yellow flowers by a young boy.
