Typically, Easter weekend marks a family moment for the royals—as recently as 2023, Kate Middleton, Prince William, King Charles, even Prince Louis, who turns 7 on April 23, all turned out to celebrate the holiday by attending the Easter Matins Service at Windsor Castle. But much like last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales are pivoting their plans once again with reports confirming that they’ll spend the weekend with their kids at their country home in Norfolk instead.
Kate Middleton & Prince William Are Breaking Royal Tradition with a Major Change to Their Easter Plans
But what about Prince Louis?
Published Apr 17, 2025
•6:19pm
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It’s certainly a surprise move: In 2024, William and Kate quite famously sat the occasion, which fell just after the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis to the world, out. (Prior to her announcement, Kensington Palace had announced that Kate’s likely return to public duties would fall sometime after Easter—in other words, the Waleses were never expected to join the extended royal family at the annual gathering last year.)
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Still, up until that point, Kate and William—and, often times, their kids—were regulars at the Sunday morning gathering, joining not just Charles and Queen Camilla, but William’s cousins, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and more. In 2023, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were also on hand. It was King Charles’s coronation year, but even going as far back as the days of Princess Diana, Easter Sunday is an important family occasion for the royals—no question about it.
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So, why the change two years in a row? The weekend does coincide with the tail end of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’s school break. The family has been skiing in the French Alps, according to reports, plus William and George enjoyed a quick jaunt to Paris to watch their favorite soccer team, Aston Villa, face off against Paris Saint-Germain. (The pair also turned out for the Birmingham rematch a week later.) But more than anything, the Waleses have been clear about their intention to prioritize more private family time. Skipping Easter certainly makes it possible for them to cocoon away.
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But also, perhaps it’s Carole and Mike Middleton’s turn to spend the holiday with the kids? (William is famously pretty close with his in-laws.) Regardless of the reason, it certainly won’t be the same without Kate, William, George, Charlotte and Louis this year.
