Prince Edward and Sophie’s son James, Earl of Wessex, was handed a more prominent role at the Royal Family’s traditional Easter Sunday service, beaming alongside William and Kate during a rare outing.
James Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, walked closely behind the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived with other senior royals for the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday.
William and Kate were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis, with James and his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, following suit.
The Earl of Wessex was captured merrily chatting with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel before entering the Easter Matins service led by the King and Queen.
They were joined by Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; however, James’s mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and his sister, Lady Louise, were not present at the ceremony.
Notably absent at the Easter service was the disgraced former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.
The princesses made alternative Easter plans under an agreement with the King and missed the traditional gathering.
However, sources have maintained they will join the Royal Family at future occasions.
Meanwhile, former prince Andrew – who has been accused of leaking secrets to Jeffrey Epstein – was last seen on Saturday cutting a solitary figure walking his dogs through the Sandringham estate.
He has kept a low profile since his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday on February 19, and has been withdrawn from public royal duties. Following the hour-long Easter service – during which prayers for the Royal Family were said and the National Anthem sung – the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth.
After around 20 minutes, Charles appeared outside alongside Camilla, and given the bad weather, walked around in a a shortened meet-and-greet, cheered by the public waiting patiently outside the chapel.
A large crowd of eager royal fans had gathered from early that morning to secure a spot to watch the royal procession down from Windsor Castle.
As the King’s car drew away, the other members of the royal party, led by the Waleses, waved happily to well-wishers wishing them ‘Happy Easter.’
And as they walked back up the hill to the castle, Kate hugged Charlotte, placing her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.
The Waleses were followed by Princess Anne and her husband, then her granddaughter, Savannah and Isla Phillips, along with her soon-to-be step-sister, Georgina.
Peter Phillips and his fiancée Harriet could be seen holding hands as they walked back to the castle.
James walked out with the remaining royals.
James, who is the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is currently 16th in line to the throne, falling from eighth after Beatrice and Eugenie expanded their families.
Following his 18th birthday in December, much speculation emerged over his future as a royal, with both he and Louise growing up without HRH titles after Sophie and Edward decided to give them as ‘normal’ an upbringing as possible.
At present, royal commentators know little about if James will follow Louise and attend university, or step up as a working royal in the public arena.
He is currently completing his A-Level studies at the prestigious Radley College school in Oxfordshire.
And while Lady Louise, who is currently studying English at the University of St Andrews, has started stepping out more often, James has kept a low profile – until now.
Should younger royals like James take on bigger roles to keep the monarchy relevant for future generations?
Last year, writing in his Palace Confidential newsletter, the Daily Mail’s Diary Editor Richard Eden expressed how the growing contribution from Edward and Sophie’s children could be of great value to the Royal Family.
He wrote: ‘When Prince William becomes King, I hope that he will follow the example of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and ask his cousins, including Lady Louise and James, to share royal duties with him.
‘Hopefully, William will realise that a “slimmed-down” monarchy wouldn’t safeguard the institution, as some claim, but would lead to its irrelevance and eventual death.
‘What better way to build on its strengths than with an injection of energy from young people who have had values of public service and duty instilled in them from birth?’
