Where are the Royals set to spend their first Easter without Queen Elizabeth?

For some, Easter brings excitement about warm hot cross buns with butter and luxurious chocolate eggs, while for others, the Christian holiday celebrates the belief of resurrection and coming together.

Easter Sunday 2023 marks the first the royal family will spend without Queen Elizabeth II since her passing in September last year, but just as the Christians celebrate life, the monarchy is expected to view the holiday weekend as a happy celebration rather than a sombre one as they reflect on the previous year.

King Charles will step into his mother’s role for the festivities this year with events kicking off on Maundy Thursday (6 April), although the new monarch had a taste of distributing the Maundy money last year when Elizabeth II wasn’t up to the task.

Kicking off the Easter holiday weekend, Charles and Camilla will attend the Royal Maundy Service up in York as His Majesty gives out specially-minted coins to 74 men and 74 women who help local communities in a ceremony that started in 600 AD.

Queen Elizabeth II took the ceremony nationwide at the beginning of her reign in 1952, travelling to cathedrals across the country, but it is thought that Charles will spend the remainder of the weekend closer to home after travelling to York.

King Charles is expected to be joined by family and the immediate heirs including Prince William, Kate Middleton, Zara and Mike Tindall when they attend their traditional service at St George’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey on Sunday before heading to Windsor Castle for a lamb roast dinner and a reunion.

Royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward suggested that as it is the first Easter without Elizabeth and Prince Philip, there will be a mention of the late pair during the church service before the family will carry out their own special prayers in the Castle’s private chapel in memory.

Seward added: “This is King Charles’ first Easter and although he won’t be [in Windsor] for more than a few days, it is important he keeps up the tradition of the Easter Court. It is an opportunity for the whole family to get together before the coronation and no one is going to refuse an invitation from the King, whatever they are doing.”