Queen to Miss Traditional Easter Sunday Service Due to Health Concerns

Buckingham Palace revealed on Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II will not be attending the customary Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor this coming Sunday, April 17th, due to ongoing health issues.

Instead, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall stood in for her at the Royal Mournday service in Windsor today and will subsequently be heading for a brief spring retreat at their Scottish residence, Bourke Hall, situated on the Balmoral Estate.

While it remains uncertain which members of the Royal Family will gather in Windsor for Easter Sunday, past years have seen the attendance of notable figures such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

The Queen's absence on this occasion marks the first time in five decades that she will miss the Easter Sunday service, the last being in 1970 during her tour of New Zealand and Australia.

At 95 years old, the monarch has been facing mobility challenges in recent months and currently resides at Windsor, indicating her likely absence from both services.

This year, Easter Sunday coincides with the one-year anniversary of Prince Philip's funeral, held at St George's Chapel on April 17, 2021.

Today, Charles and Camilla participated in the Mournday Thursday service at St George's Chapel, a significant event in the royal calendar.

Last Friday, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen would not be partaking in the service, with Prince Charles taking on the responsibility of distributing Mournday money to community stewards.

The Queen's inability to commit to the service prompted the heir to represent her to prevent a last-minute withdrawal.

Despite missing today's service, the Queen has been actively engaged in virtual events and fulfilling her duties as head of state.

The Queen's involvement in the Royal Mournday dates back to 1935 when she attended as Princess Elizabeth.

While she traditionally participates annually, there have been exceptions during her reign, including after childbirth and when traveling within the Commonwealth.

Over the years, the Queen expanded the distribution of Mournday money beyond London, visiting various cathedrals and abbeys to recognize local individuals' contributions to their communities.

During today's Royal Mournday service, Charles and Camilla were greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Connor, who delivered the address at Prince Philip's memorial last month.

Following tradition, Charles and Camilla received nose-gays, fragrant bouquets historically used to mask unpleasant odors during ceremonies.

This year, Charles distributed Mournday coins to 96 men and 96 women, symbolizing the Queen's upcoming 96th birthday on April 21st.

The Royal Mournday is a centuries-old ceremony rooted in Christ's act of washing his disciples' feet before Good Friday.

Despite recent cancellations due to the pandemic, the Queen ensured the distribution of Mournday money to recipients through personalized letters.

In her message, the Queen expressed gratitude for the recipients' often overlooked contributions to their communities and acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances preventing an in-person service, emphasizing the lasting appreciation for their efforts.

As the Queen's absence from the upcoming Easter Sunday service marks a rare occurrence in her longstanding royal duties, the Royal Family continues to adapt to ensure the continuity of important traditions amidst health challenges and changing circumstances.