ROBERT HARDMAN: Prince Andrew nearly edged past the Dean of Windsor at St. George's Chapel... and made sure he was first inside after the King and Queen
Easter Sunday at Windsor and a rare sighting of the Duke of York. Indeed, like big chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, Prince Andrew is becoming something of an Easter-only treat.
For this was his first public appearance alongside the rest of the family for an entire year – since the very same service in 2024.
After his withdrawal from public life in 2019, following his disastrous televised attempt to justify his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, it was agreed that he would appear only at family occasions. These would be Easter and Christmas plus any weddings or funerals (and, as it transpired, the King's Coronation).
There have been no major family milestones over the past year. Furthermore, the Duke was persuaded to absent himself from the royal Christmas celebrations following revelations of his links to a man who was later alleged to be a Chinese spy.
It is no secret, though, that he craves a return to a semblance of the life he jettisoned. So yesterday's return to the spotlight was an important moment.
He arrived for matins at St George's Chapel with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, and the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. However, the Duke then disappeared inside while the others remained outside, waiting to greet the King and Queen. Andrew then re-emerged, to be joined by his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and their husbands.
Together with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh; their son, the Earl of Wessex; plus the King's cousins, the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto with her husband, Daniel, this large royal party lined up beside the Galilee Porch for the monarch's arrival.
Amid much curtseying, no knee went lower than that of the Duchess of York, who was almost touching the flagstones.
Today marked Prince Andrew's first public appearance since the very same service in 2024
As soon as the King and Queen had entered the chapel, the Duke of York then stepped immediately behind them in the procession, almost overtaking the man in charge, the Dean of Windsor, the Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth
After his withdrawal from public life in 2019, following his disastrous televised attempt to justify his friendship with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , it was agreed that he would appear only at family occasions
As soon as the King and Queen had entered the chapel, the Duke of York then stepped immediately behind them in the procession, almost overtaking the man in charge, the Dean of Windsor, the Rt Rev Christopher Cocksworth. Here was a forceful reminder that, in this company at least, the Duke was first in the line of succession.
For the King, the large family gathering will have felt reassuringly familiar. Last year was very different, following his cancer diagnosis two months earlier. That had necessitated a smaller family contingent at the castle over the Easter weekend. It was also a turning point: the first occasion when his doctors permitted the monarch to shake hands with the public again. He had been raring to go after his enforced seclusion, and it showed.
Yesterday was a more mellow, relaxed affair. After a hectic start to the year, culminating in the state visit to Italy followed by a trip to Durham for Thursday's Royal Maundy ceremony, this Easter has been an opportunity to unwind ahead of a busy programme for the rest of the year.
That may now have become even busier. Reports of an autumn meeting between President Trump and the King have been lent extra credence by the President himself, and reports emerged yesterday that President Emmanuel Macron of France could be paying a full state visit to the UK sooner than that.
The Mail has also learned that Foreign Office and Palace sources are preparing for another invitation which will be of equal importance and could arrive in a matter of days.
Canada goes to the polls on April 28 and it is now anticipated that a new prime minister, whether Liberal or Conservative, is likely to invite the King of Canada to open the new Parliament. Though that would be purely a matter between Canada and the King, there could be implications for the UK, given Canada's more combative relations with Washington.
Yesterday the Prince of Wales and his family were elsewhere, having decided to spend Easter privately at their home in Norfolk. This prompted some surprise on social media, though their absence was not unusual.
Prince Andrew ducked quietly into the Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor this morning
Andrew was was reportedly urged to uninvite himself from Christmas celebrations at Sandringham last year
Last year, the Princess had only just announced her own cancer diagnosis as Easter approached, and the family then spent the holiday period privately with their children. Over the past ten Easters, the Waleses have been with the extended family for exactly half of them.
For now, the Prince and Princess and their three children are happy to be out of the public gaze, particularly since they are expected to be very much back in it again in a couple of weeks when the nation comes together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Also absent, as ever, were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Further news emerged yesterday of a forthcoming second book on the couple by the investigative journalist, Tom Bower. Claiming that the pair are now in 'crisis', Mr Bower has promised to tell 'an eye-wateringly unique story because it's unprecedented'.
Back in Windsor, meanwhile, yesterday's service included traditional favourites, such as Thine Be The Glory, before the royal party moved through to the Deanery for tea and drinks.
The King and Queen then emerged and waved to a small crowd admitted inside the castle and shouting 'Happy Easter'. The royal couple crossed to shake hands and return the compliment before returning to the far end of the castle in the State Bentley.
The rest of the royal party then emerged, walking back up to the castle for lunch. The Duke of York looked stunned when someone shouted 'Happy Easter, sir'. Most of the well-wishers had some sort of connection with the place anyway. Carl Adekola, 18, and his mother, Claire, have enjoyed attending each year since Carl's days as a member of the St George's Chapel choir. 'I used to sing the songs that they were singing today,' he said, 'so it was very nice, very nostalgic.'
