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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo

Prince Louis clutches Kate's hand as he joins royals for first Easter since Queen died

Prince Louis was pictured clutching his mum's hand as he joined members of the Royal Family for the Easter Sunday service at Windsor this morning - the first one since the Queen's death.

Senior royals including King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children were out in force at St George's Chapel on the grounds of the Berkshire castle for the traditional Easter Day Mattins.

Zara and Mike Tindall and Princess Beatrice with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were pictured arriving at church with their family.

Prince Andrew also made a rare appearance, walking just behind the King by his sister Princess Anne's side.

Prince George was clutching his mother's hand as they arrived at church (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Princess Charlotte talking to her brother Prince Louis (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, were also seen arriving at church with their son James, Earl of Wessex.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who are expecting their second child this summer, also attended the church service with their family.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort attending the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel (PA)

A staple in the royal calendar, last year's event saw the now-Prince and Princess of Wales attend in the spring sunshine with their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Today is going to be bittersweet for royals as it is the first Easter since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who was known to enjoy this time of year that she usually spent with her family.

Prince Andrew walked behind his brother Charles and next to his sister Princess Anne (Justin Goff/GoffPhotos.com)
The monarch and Queen Consort appeared cheerful this morning (PA)

The service at St George's Chapel in Windsor is likely to be a moving moment for royals as the late Queen is buried in the church's King George VI Memorial Chapel, alongside her beloved husband Philip and her parents, George VI and the Queen Mother.

This Sunday also marks the second anniversary of the death of Prince Philip, who passed away at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, three weeks after being discharged from hospital.

Prince George outside the church in Windsor (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)
Kate and William arrived with their children (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)

It is also the first Easter Sunday service of the King's reign - and the family are expected to gather after leaving the church to have a roast dinner which usually is lamb.

The Windsors gathered at St George's in September for the monarch and royal matriarch's televised committal service and then private burial following her state funeral in Westminster Abbey.

Zara and Mike Tindall also attended the church service (David Hartley)

The late Queen missed last April's Easter Sunday service due to mobility problems.

Charles, as monarch, succeeded his mother to become the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Princess Eugenie with Jack Brooksbank arriving at St George's Chapel (UK Press via Getty Images)
The couple are expecting their second child this summer (PA)

In less than a month's time, he will be crowned alongside Camilla in a religious service in Westminster Abbey.

As the Prince of Wales, Charles often released an Easter message and last year highlighted the millions of displaced people "wounded by the past, fearful of the future", but this year has not, likely to be a reflection of his new role as head of state.

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