Royal fans have sent their well wishes to the Princess of Wales after her husband’s mystery absence from a Royal engagement for ‘personal reasons’.
Prince William had been due to attend a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece – who was his godfather – but pulled out at the last minute.
It mean Queen Camilla was the most senior member of the Royal Family in attendance at the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, as King Charles was also absent as his cancer treatment continues.
It is not known if the heir to the throne’s absence was related to the Princess of Wales’s recovery after her abdominal surgery last month, although royal sources insist she is ‘doing well’ at home.
William was last seen at the Baftas on February 18, while Kate has not been seen since Christmas at Sandringham – she had surgery at the London Clinic on January 17.
Prince William had been due to attend a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece today but pulled out for ‘personal reasons’. It is not known if it is related to his wife’s recovery from abdominal surgery. Pictured: William and Catherine at a ceremonial welcome for the President and First Lady of Korea in London in November
The Princess of Wales has not been seen in public since Christmas at Sandringham after having surgery in January. Pictured: Princess Catherine at a leisure centre in Port Talbot, Wales, in February 2023
Reports that Catherine was doing well sparked relief on social media, with fans of the mother-of-three sending out their best wishes as she continues her months-long recuperation.
One royal fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it was ‘great to hear that the Catherine, Princess of Wales is doing well’.
They added: ‘Fun, down to earth and a nice woman. So looking forward to when she returns back to Royal duties when she’s ready.’
Another said: ‘Happy to hear Catherine is doing well. The day she returns (when she is ready), she will break the internet within seconds. I’m looking forward to that.’
Lorraine King wrote: ‘Kensington Palace said Kate Middleton is ‘doing well’ after her abdominal surgery. That’s good to hear. Hopefully they’ll release a photo of her soon.’
One royal fan said: ‘I do hope Kate is getting well and is going to be in public very soon… she is the best of the Royal family.’
Another added: ‘Prayers for William. That’s why there are several working members of the Royal Family. So they can take time off as needed. Love and Prayers to Catherine too! Get well soon, Princess!’
The reason for William’s absence has not been revealed, although it is not believed to be related to his wife or the sad passing of Thomas Kingston, who died on Sunday.
Royal fans took to social media to pass along their well wishes for the Princess of Wales amid Prince William’s mystery absence from a royal engagement today
The Prince of Wales was last seen attending the Bafta Film Awards 2024 at the Royal Festival Hall in London
The Princess of Wales was last seen on Christmas Day last year attending church at Sandringham
Constantine was the godfather of William, who called the Greek royal family to apologise. The Prince was due to read from Revelation 21:1-7, a popular reading for funerals that begins ‘then I saw a new heaven and a new earth’.
In the absence of the Prince of Wales and the King, Queen Camilla took centre stage, while Prince Andrew was also present with Sarah, Duchess of York and his daughter Princess Beatrice – along with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi – because it was deemed a personal family event.
It is also understood that the Duke of York was attending the service as a member of the British Royal Family and had been invited by the Greek Royal Family. Andrew’s other daughter Princess Eugenie was not in attendance.
In Charles’s absence from public duties, Camilla has become the most senior royal performing engagements. Another royal source said there was no connection between William’s personal matter and the King’s health.
This year has seen a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and Kate both went into hospital around the same time last month.
The family’s health woes have left William shouldering more of the burden of public duties while at the same time supporting Kate and helping care for their three children George, Charlotte and Louis.
Charles was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition last month, but subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. The monarch has withdrawn from public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment.
Camilla stands between Princess Anne and Greece’s Queen Anne-Marie in Windsor today
Princess Anne and Queen Camilla attend the thanksgiving service at St George’s Chapel today
Prince Andrew; Sarah, Duchess of York; and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence at St George’s Chapel in Windsor today
The order of service still has William’s title on it (highlighted in red by MailOnline), as it was produced before he pulled out
Kate underwent abdominal surgery at the same time and is currently recuperating, following a two-week hospital stay.
Today’s service at St George’s Chapel was held in honour of the King’s close friend and second cousin Constantine II, the former ruler and last king of Greece.
Dozens of foreign royals travelled to Windsor to attend the service but the King is not expected to meet them privately.
Constantine’s eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos stepped in to give the reading in William’s place.
The King was close to his second cousin Constantine, who was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh.
Constantine died aged 82, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.
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