Queen Camilla oversaw proceedings at the Easter Matins service which brought together much of the royal family today, according to a body language expert.
Despite the notable absence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sunday’s Easter service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, was a joyful occasion for the royals.
Camilla, 77, appeared ‘quietly in charge of leading the choreography rather than being led’ by King Charles, said expert Judi James.
The Queen, who chose a powder blue, embroidered dress for the occasion, ‘performed a little circular walk, reminding her husband that they were to greet the public before going into the chapel’, James added.
Camilla’s subtle gesture to encourage Charles, 76, to uphold the tradition of meeting royal well-wishers reflected her raised profile in the aftermath of her husband’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Yet, remaining faithful to royal protocol, Camilla ‘immediately took a lower profile role’ once Charles had joined her.
According to James, this change reflects her profound ‘understanding that he is the one the crowds want to cheer on following his illness.’
‘Charles held his hand up in a solid wave as his face wreathed in a smile, but Camilla kept her own head lowered slightly and her sweeter wave included some finger-waggling that made it less regal and less high-profile,’ James added.
Queen Camilla (pictured) quietly took charge of today’s Easter Matins service, according to body language expert Judi James
Once Charles was by her side, however, Camilla, 77, took a lower profile, understanding that he was the one fans had come to see
This behaviour suggests that while Camilla is mindful of her role to ‘protect, steer and support’ Charles, she is also eager for the world to accept that he is ‘still very much the head of the firm’.
Moreover, Camilla’s instinct to step back in this way indicates her own awareness that it is Charles that ‘fans come to see.’
Charles and Camilla were joined by a grinning Prince Andrew, along with other members of the royal family, at the Easter Sunday service.
The disgraced Duke seemed in high spirits as he joined his brother Charles at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales are not attending today as they are spending the weekend with their children in Norfolk, it is understood.
A source said the couple are choosing to spend time together as a family before Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis go back to school, The Mirror reported.
The Waleses, who have a country home, Anmer Hall, on the Sandringham estate, missed the annual service last year after Kate, who is now in remission, was diagnosed with cancer.
Disgraced Prince Andrew joined Charles and Camilla today at the traditional Easter Matins service in the 15th century chapel in Berkshire.
Prince Andrew was in attendance at the Easter Sunday service today alongside other members of the Royal Family
King Charles attends the Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Easter Sunday
Queen Camilla attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service on Sunday
Last week, the Queen paid tribute to the King’s sense of duty saying he ‘loves his work’ and wants to do ‘more and more and more’ as he gets better.
Camilla said Charles, 76, who is receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, was ‘driven’ by helping others and indicated his cancer journey was one of ‘recovery’.
Last month, the King experienced temporary side effects following treatment at the London Clinic, which required a short period of hospital observation that day.
Charles’s Easter Sunday appearance last year was his first major public one following his cancer diagnosis.
He was applauded by the crowds as he greeted well-wishers who urged him to ‘keep going strong’.
Sarah, Duchess of Edinburgh, wears a stunning plum-coloured coat for the occasion
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, wears a white jacket and black skirt for Easter Sunday
Members of the Royal Family today at the traditional Easter Matins service
The Prince and Princess of Wales will not be at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, as they are spending the weekend with their children in Norfolk
Prince Andrew appeared sombre during his morning ride around Windsor last month after it was confirmed he would not join the rest of the royals for the Commonwealth Service that day.
The Duke of York, 65, donned a long brown coat, riding boots, and a helmet for a trot around the Berkshire estate on the same day Charles, Camilla and the rest of the Royal Family marked Commonwealth Day in the UK.
Andrew seemed downcast as he was photographed in his car and on horseback on March 10 after it was confirmed he would not join senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, for the annual service at Westminster Abbey in London.