Just as the four-day bank holiday weekend is a time for members of the public to regroup with their loved ones, the same applies to King Charles III and his closest relatives, particularly this year as the Royal Family prepares to mark the first Easter without Queen Elizabeth II. And with tradition at the heart of the monarch, the King and new Queen Camilla are expected to stray from their own customs to honour those observed by Charles’ mother, as explained by royal historian, Mok O’Keeffe.
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Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Mok (@gayaristo), said: “The British Royal Family is very connected to the church, indeed our monarch is the defender of the Anglican faith.
“It is therefore not surprising that this Easter, the royal’s celebrations focus on church, community and family.”
Though 2023 marks Charles’s first Easter as the head of the monarch, the Maundy Service that will take place later today will not be his first.
Said to be “following in the footsteps of his late Mother”, according to Mok, the King will attend the service in York Minster.
He said: “Here he will present Maundy Money to people who have done good deeds for the community – two purses will be shared. One red and one white.
“One coin inside will commemorate his accession to the throne and the other will recognise contribution the Windrush Generation have made to the UK since arriving 75 years ago.
“This is perhaps a revealing nod to the kind of King we can expect His Majesty to be – one that upholds the institution monarchy and at the same time is inclusive, relevant and representative all of his UK and Commonwealth subjects.”
Though Charles’s role on April 6 is significant, his show of honour to his mother is expected to continue on Easter Sunday when gathering with the rest of the family for a church service and traditional feast.
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Queen Elizabeth II hosted an annual Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle during her reign.
Much like the Christmas Day gathering held at Sandringham, the event is attended by many members of the extended Royal Family – including Kate, Princess of Wales’ parents.
However, this goes against Charles and Camilla’s usual plans for the spring bank holiday. Mok explained: “King Charles used to spend Easter with the Queen Consort at his Scottish estate of Birkhall.
“We will wait and see if the King decides to keep up the tradition of family service at Windsor Castle, followed by a rack of lamb. I rather suspect he will honour his mother’s memory and swap Scotland for Windsor this year.”
The royal historian went on: “His late mother set the gold standard for a reigning monarch, demonstrating an ability to both move with the times and uphold tradition.
“Early indications are that the King has learnt valuable lessons from her reign. He stood in for his late Mother at the Maundy Service, in 2022, thus ensuring that this 600-year-old tradition continues.”
And while the family are bound by many century-old customs, the younger generations are lucky enough to enjoy their own traditions – as revealed by Kate, Princess of Wales.
She noted that in the past, she had organised an Easter egg hunt for her three children and their cousins to enjoy over the bank holiday weekend. And there are also plenty of sweet treats for the adults to enjoy too.
Mok noted: “We can be sure there will be no shortage of chocolate at Windsor Castle. In previous years, due to her late Majesty’s personal taste, there was an abundance of dark chocolate.”
“King Charles is not a fan of chocolate (nor coffee or garlic), but I am sure that there will be many sweet delights for the family, alongside the traditionally personalised Easter eggs.
“There may well be some other Easter goodies too! In 2021 The Duchess of York shared how to make Easter Carrots with Cheesy Wotsits – whilst wearing bunny ears.
“I’d like to think they will get a look in at this royal Easter too!”
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