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The Prince and Princess of Wales were a welcome sight at this years Easter celebrations in Windsor.
This was the first time Prince William, Kate, and their three children joined the royals for the holiday since 2023.
The Wales family elected to spend time privately at their Norfolk country home the past two years, with Kate revealing her cancer diagnosis at the start of the Easter school holidays in 2024.
This year, though, their appearance at the Easter Sunday service on April 5 signalled a noticeable shift in the royal family. Read on to find out why they have returned…
What brought the Wales family back to Windsor this Easter?
The Wales family weren’t the only notable change on this year’s guest list, with their return coinciding with several other royal relatives being quietly left off the invitation.
Prince William and Princess Catherine joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh for the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel — a noticeably more intimate gathering than in previous years.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie made alternative plans with the King’s consent.
The scaled‑back lineup reflects King Charles’ vision for a slimmed‑down monarchy, but it also underscores the shifting power dynamics within the family.
And one absence, in particular, brought William, Kate, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Princess Louis back.
The Wales family are believed to have skipped the gathering in 2025 thanks to the inclusion of the former Prince Andrew.
Although Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor was stood down from royal duties in late 2019, he continued to appear at select public family events, including Easter — a move that reportedly infuriated the Prince of Wales.
According to Russell Myers’ biography William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, William was determined to see his uncle removed from all visible aspects of royal life following Andrew’s disastrous Newsnight interview.
“He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in,” a source told Myers.
With the disgraced former Duke of York now relocated to the Sandringham Estate after his eviction from Royal Lodge, the path was finally clear for William and Kate to return to the Windsor event with their children.
Their return is deemed significant, supporting King Charles’ broader effort to signal cohesion and continuity at a pivotal moment for the monarchy.
See the best photos of the royal family on Easter Sunday in 2026…
Welcome sight
The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attended the Easter Sunday service in Windsor with the royal family for the first time since 20023.
Stepping out in style
Kate looked sensational in a familiar silhouette, option to wear a favourite dress from Self Portrait along with a new fascinator from Juliette Millinery.
Inner circle
Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his son, James, Earl of Wessex, joined in the procession to church. The Duchess of Edinburgh skipped the church service due to illness.
Friendly wave
Proving they are already pros at the job despite their young age, Charlotte and Louis gave the crowd a wave.
Morning greeting
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the crowds after the church service.
Wedding bells
Princess Anne’s son, Peter Philip’s, attended the family do with bride-to-be Harriet Sperling. The couple will wed in June.
