Why the Royal Family Will Break With Tradition This Easter

With so much going on with King Charles and Kate Middleton, the traditional Easter service will look very different.

The royal family is nothing if not consistent. Every year, members of Britain's monarchy commemorate major holidays the same way, and their calendars are basically a copy-paste of the year before, from things like the annual Trooping the Colour to appearances at Royal Ascot and various holiday events. But this year, in the wake of Kate Middleton and King Charles's cancer diagnoses, Easter is going to look a bit different. Traditionally, members of the Cambridges, including Kate, her husband William, and their children, attend an Easter service with Charles and other members of the royals, but that won't be happening this year.

The royals confirmed that Kate and William, as well as their kids Princes Louis and George and Princess Charlotte, will not be in attendance at the annual Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Last year marked Prince Louis's first time attending the Easter service with his family. It was also poignant for another reason: it was the first time that the royals celebrated Easter after Queen Elizabeth II's passing.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be in attendance this year, marking Charles's first public event since he shared news of his cancer diagnosis in February. However, Vanity Fair confirmed that Camilla will stand in for Charles in the traditional Maundy Thursday service before Easter Sunday, marking a historic first for her and the royals.

Related: Kate Middleton's Cancer Announcement Video Had a Hidden Meaning

According to Entertainment Tonight, Kate and William will spend Easter with their children at Sandringham Estate. In an announcement video shared last Friday, Kate not only revealed that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, she requested "some time, space, and privacy" while she finishes her treatment and recovers.

While the Cambridges and the king and queen may not see each other this Easter, sources close to the family confirmed that they're in close touch. One shared that “the king calls daily to check in and make sure Catherine is doing OK.” After the royal family shared Kate's video, Charles said that he was “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.”

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