While not seated near the Royal Family, King Charles III participated in the Easter service at St. George’s Chapel recently. People are left wondering why he was seated apart and what this means going forward for royal customs.
After viewing the King’s pictures, fans became concerned about his wellbeing. However, his nephew has provided some details regarding the King’s condition.
King Charles III made his first major public appearance since starting cancer treatment when he went to the customary Easter Matins ceremony at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
The King and Queen Camilla headed for the chapel. He had not appeared in public since starting cancer treatment two months ago, save for this.
The pair waved to the assembled throng before passing through the Galilee Porch. The 75-year-old ruler could be seen grinning and waving to onlookers. He made a “gentle” comeback to the public eye by showing up in his maroon state Bentley limousine.
On this occasion, the entire Royal Family typically gets together. But the festivities were more subdued this year, with fewer royals attending.
Significant protocol adjustments were also made for the event, with the King sitting separately from the other members of the Royal Family.
This wasn’t merely a haphazard seating selection; rather, it was impacted by recent occurrences in his life. Why did this modification occur? The King’s personal journey over the past few months provides the answer.
The Easter service at St. George’s Chapel this year was very different from the ones in the past. The entire Royal Family typically gathers at Windsor Castle around Easter. After attending the church service together, they have lunch as a family.
But these customs have been significantly curtailed this year. They took a stance that some have referred to as “Easter Lite.”
Usually arriving with the family, King Charles and Queen Camilla enter the chapel together. They arrived by automobile by themselves this time. This was hardly the typical group entry into the chapel that one might anticipate.
Also, the King did not host the usual lunch after the service this year. Normally, the family has lunch together privately after the public service. Skipping this lunch was a break from tradition.
A palace source said the King’s planned attendance was a “sign of things heading the right direction.” It shows a careful move back to normal.
Sources close to the palace say the plans are about slowly getting back to the King’s usual schedule. This includes hosting more guests at the palace as summer comes.
Despite these changes, King Charles took a moment to greet the public outside the church. He maintained a connection with those who came to see him.
One significant change that stood out that day was about King Charles. He was seated separately from the rest of the Royal Family.
Royal Broadcaster Rafe Heydel-Makoo highlighted this during an interview with “GB News.” He noted that the scene of King Charles and Queen Camilla sitting separately during the service “does remind us of the queen in that very same building for the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.”
During Prince Philip’s funeral service, the world saw Queen Elizabeth II seated alone. She was adhering to social distancing protocols amidst the pandemic. The image of the solitary monarch left a lasting impression on the public as she set an example during challenging times.
As King Charles sat alone during the Easter service, many people were asking why. This question makes us think more about what the changes to this year’s Easter service mean.
Sources reveal that the decision to seat King Charles away from the rest of the family was to ensure his safety during his ongoing cancer treatment.
The King sat at the front of the altar in the chapel, in the Sovereign’s Seat. This spot kept him important in the service but showed he needed to care for his health.
Following medical advice, the Royal Family limited their numbers at St. George’s Chapel to reduce any infection risks for the King. This year, the gathering was notably smaller. It was not only to protect King Charles but also because the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were absent.
King Charles’ recent health diagnosis has also forced him to scale back on his engagements. This includes this year’s Royal Maundy Service, which Queen Camilla attended on his behalf.
Despite his health challenges, he has not stopped sharing messages that uplift and motivate others. This leads us to a powerful moment recently.
King Charles was unable to attend the Royal Maundy Service in person. However, he shared a heartfelt message that was played at Worcester Cathedral. He spoke about the importance of service to others. This echoed the commitment he made during his Coronation Service.
In his message, the King emphasized, “This act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service – to follow Christ’s example ‘not to be served but to serve’. That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart.”
He further expressed his hopes for the future. He stated, “It is my special prayer today that Our Lord’s example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities.”
While King Charles focused on recovery, Queen Camilla stepped in to represent him at the service. She distributed Maundy money to pensioners for the first time.
