King Charles set for first public appearance since cancer diagnosis as royals attend Easter church service
31 March 2024, 07:38 | Updated: 31 March 2024, 10:03
King Charles is to join Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family today as he makes his first major public appearance since his cancer diagnosis.
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The King will attend an Easter Matins service this morning but will sit with Camilla - separate from the main congregation -amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
An arrangement was made by the King’s medical team in a bid to protect his health.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will not attend the service, as Kate continues her cancer treatment.
This will be the most significant public appearance Charles has made since revealing his diagnosis back in February.
The King has been seen leaving Buckingham Palace and has hosted private audiences, but has stepped back from his public duties.
Now a source has told The Telegraph that the King’s appearance at the service is a “sign of things heading in the right direction”.
He is expected to walk into the church with the Queen, and provided the schedule goes ahead as planned, will enter through the Galilee Porch at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Aides said that the King’s attendance at any event is “to be hoped for and planned for rather than assumed”, depending on his health.
Read more: King Charles says he is 'serving the nation with my whole heart' in Easter message
A source told the outlet the arrangements for Charles had been considered an “acceptable” environment and level of risk for the King two months into his cancer treatment.
They also described the plans as “turning the dial” toward resuming his ordinary programme, which will reportedly include the King hosting more guests for engagements at the palace as the summer approaches.
Buckingham Palace has not confirmed which royals will be attending the Sunday service, although it is expected to be a smaller congregation than normal to protect the King from the risk of infection.
The royals will attend the Easter Matins Service between 10.45am and 11.45am.
It comes after Kate revealed last week that she had also been receiving treatment for cancer following her surgery in January.
She was due to return to public duties after Easter but is now expected to come back later.
As a result, William and Kate will not be attending the Sunday service.
It comes after the King made his first public speech on Thursday since the Princess of Wales revealed her cancer diagnosis.
The message was broadcast at a Maundy Thursday church service in Worcester Cathedral. Charles expressed his "great sadness" that he couldn't be there. However, Queen Camilla deputised for him at the service.
Charles has stepped back from large-scale public duties since his cancer diagnosis.
Ordinarily, he would have hoped to attend the service at Worcester Cathedral, where the monarch traditionally hands out purses full of Maundy Money.
