Prince William has made an unexpected decision to withdraw from a memorial service honoring the late King Constantine of Greece, citing a “personal matter,” according to an announcement from Kensington Palace.
The surprise announcement, made on Tuesday morning, has raised concerns, particularly regarding Kate Middleton’s health. Princess Kate is currently recuperating from significant abdominal surgery at the family’s residence in Windsor and is not anticipated to resume royal duties until after the Easter period.
While palace aides have assured that the princess is “continuing to do well,” the suddenness of Prince William’s withdrawal from the memorial service has sparked widespread apprehension.
As a godson of the late king, Prince William was scheduled to attend the service in Windsor. He personally reached out to the family to convey his inability to attend.
Kensington Palace declined to provide further details beyond stating that Prince William’s absence was due to a “personal matter.” With Kate still in recovery following her surgery in January and King Charles undergoing cancer treatment, the announcement has come as a surprise. Prince William was slated to deliver a reading at the memorial service, a role that Crown Prince Pavlos assumed in his absence.
Prince William (Credits: AOL)
Prince William had resumed his royal duties after taking a two-week break from work during Kate’s hospitalization in January. Despite the recent time off for half-term, with the children now back at school, Prince William has been actively participating in events, including the BAFTA awards.
Once again, Queen Camilla took the lead in representing the royal family at the memorial service, held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, a short distance from the Waleses’ residence.
Although Charles, currently undergoing cancer treatment as an outpatient, was spotted in Windsor on Tuesday morning, aides confirmed he would not be attending the service. Palace sources also clarified that Prince William’s absence is unrelated to Charles’ health, leaving a sense of mystery surrounding his withdrawal.
In Charles’ absence, Queen Camilla has predominantly taken on royal engagements on behalf of the king. At the memorial, Camilla, elegantly attired in a pinstripe dress, received support from other family members, including Princess Anne, Zara and Mike Tindall, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester.
