King Charles Attends Easter Service in First Major Public Appearance Since His Cancer Diagnosis

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Easter church service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Photo:Chris Jackson/Getty

Chris Jackson/Getty

King Charlesmade his most significant public appearance on Sunday since beginningcancer treatment, leading the royal family for Easter church service at Windsor Castle.

After the service, the King and Queen conducted a surprise walkabout, thanking members of the congregation, estate workers and the general public who gathered outside the church to show their support for the monarch. Charles smiled as he shook hands, responding to one well-wisher’s “get well soon” with, “I’m doing my best!”

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Easter church service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty

Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty

Attending the service alongside Charles and Camilla were Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex. Several key members of the royal family were absent from the service, notablyKate Middleton,Prince Williamand their kids —Prince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5 — who did not attend as they typically would following Princess Kate’s public announcement about hercancer diagnosislast week.

King Charles greets members of the public on Easter Sunday on March 31, 2024.Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty

The monarch has postponed public-facing duties while continuing to work behind the scenes and hosting small audiences at Buckingham Palace.

King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Easter Mattins Service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate, William and their children are spending the holiday weekend privately at home after the Princess of Wales, 42, shared the news about her health last Friday. Princess Kate revealed that she was receiving “preventative chemotherapy” after post-operative tests following herabdominal surgeryin January “found cancer had been present” though her condition was initially thought to be non-cancerous. The royal mom said that she and William took time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis and asked for privacy during this time.

Prince Andrew, Duke of York attends Easter church service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty

“We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment,” the Princess of Wales said towards the end of her video message, filmed on March 20 in the garden of Windsor Castle.

Sarah Ferguson attends Easter church service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Chris Jackson/Getty

Princess Kate kept the type of cancer private, as did King Charles. The diagnoses mark the first time in the monarchy’s history that two senior royals are facing the disease simultaneously.

“He has always had a very good bond with her. I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that she is like the daughter he never had,” royal biographer Sally Bedell Smithtells PEOPLEexclusively in this week’scover story. “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the King.”

King Charles arrives for Easter service at Windsor Castle on March 31, 2024.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

King Charles is “progressing well” in his treatment, and there is an “amplified confidence” amid the sophisticated treatment receiving, a royal source tells PEOPLE.

“He is positive, the doctors are optimistic,” the source adds.

Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Kate Middleton at the Together at Christmas concert at Westminster Abbey on December 8, 2023.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

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The insider says that the sovereign is planning for a “summer diary,” but won’t commit to any engagements as they will rely on “medical advice nearer the time.” King Charles' recent outings have been capped at small numbers of people, but as summer approaches, more engagements could happen outdoors.

“One thing that has been wholly undiminished is his appetite for work,” the royal source says.

source: people.com