Royal Family Draws Clear Line: Andrew’s Family Absent From Easter as Charles Demands ‘Full’ Investigation
Not welcome.
On Sunday, members of the royal family, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla, gathered at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor to mark the Easter holiday. But several prominent members of the family were nowhere to be seen.
Former Duke of York skips royal family’s Easter service
The former Prince Andrew, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie did not attend the service. In past years, Andrew and his family have joined his brother, Charles, his nephew, Prince William, and other relatives for the annual Easter gathering.
In 2025, all four Yorks attended the Easter service. But after a tumultuous 12 months, the ex-Duke of York’s family has stepped back from the limelight at the request of the King. In October 2025, Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles. Now, the man who was once second-in-line to the throne is known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
More revelations about Andrew and Sarah’s ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have prompted further distancing. In February, Andrew was arrested on suspicion of corruption in public office related to his Epstein relationship – the first time a member of the royal family has been arrested in hundreds of years. (Andrew has not been charged and has previously denied any wrongdoing.)
The couple’s daughters have been caught up in the scandal. They’ve reportedly been disinvited from the Royal Ascot and chose not to attend this year’s Easter events, with the agreement and understanding of Charles, People reported. However, the York sisters will likely join future family celebrations.
“I’ve spoken to my friend who works at Ascot, and they said the girls have been told they can’t be there this year,” a source told The Daily Mail, according to People. “Beatrice has taken it the hardest. She’s been completely blindsided by all of this.”
King Charles distances himself from ex-Prince Andrew
As the outcry about Andrew’s behavior mounts, Charles has been keen to draw a clear line between himself and his younger brother.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” he said in a statement after Andrew’s arrest.
Charles added that the authorities had “our full and wholehearted support and co-operation” in their investigation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” he said.
Prince Williams and Kate Middleton attended Easter service for first time since 2023
Andrew’s prominent absence stands in contrast to his nephew, the future king. This year, William and his wife Kate Middleton made their first appearance at Easter since 2023, along with their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The Prince and Princess of Wales skipped the event in 2024 and 2025 following her cancer diagnosis.
While Kate and William stepped out in public for Easter, they’ll also be spending some quality time together and as family, likely at their Norfolk home, Amner Hall, a royal expert said.
“Both William and Catherine have put in quite a shift in recent weeks and months,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told The Daily Mirror. “They’ve been out and about, up and down the country. So I think they’ll feel justified in taking as much time as they can over the Easter holidays to be with their children.”
“I’m sure they’ll welcome the chance to get away from the scandal surrounding William’s disgraced uncle, Andrew – who, of course, is now living just a few miles from Anmer Hall,” she added. “Meanwhile, the children will always enjoy having their granny and grandad around, and the Middletons are also very easy and welcome company for William and Catherine, who adore them.”
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