The King and Queen are to attend the Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday, Buckingham Palace has announced.
It had previously been reported the King was keen to attend the service if health allowed, but a question mark remained over whether he would be able to so amid his ongoing treatment for cancer.
His attendance, confirmed by the Palace on Tuesday lunchtime, will mark the monarch’s most significant appearance since his diagnosis in January and since his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales on Friday revealed she too is being treated for the disease.
The King has stepped back from public duties on medical advice as he undergoes his treatment, to avoid the risks associated with large crowds.
The royal turnout on Easter Sunday is therefore set to be considerably smaller than usual, it is understood.
Kensington Palace has confirmed the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children will not attend, as they focus on Kate’s recovery.
Ahead of Sunday’s service, the King is also set to reassure the public with a pre-recorded Easter message of hope and unity, which will be broadcast during a service at Worcester Cathedral on Maundy Thursday.
Charles, 75, wants to provide comfort to the country after the shock announcements that both he and Kate, 42, have cancer, palace sources have said.
The King is said to be “very positive” and his doctors “optimistic” about his treatment. Aides plan for him to build back to resume a fuller schedule of engagements “towards the summer”, a palace source told the Daily Telegraph.
But the King is “hugely frustrated” that his recovery is taking a “little longer” than expected, his nephew Peter Phillips revealed on Sunday.
During an interview on Australian television, he said: “He’s frustrated that he can’t get on and do everything that he wants to be able to do.
Meanwhile the monarch is said to be “so proud” of his “beloved” daughter-in-law for her “courage” in speaking out about her treatment.
In her emotional video message on Friday, Kate spoke about the “huge shock” after tests identified cancer following the surgery and the “incredibly tough couple of months” her family have experienced, with her voice cracking with emotion at times during the footage.
She told how she and William had been focusing on their children, taking the time to sensitively share the state of the princess’s health with Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The Princess also directly addressed those affected by cancer, urging them not to “lose faith or hope” as she said: “You are not alone.”
