Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will not join the Royal Family for the traditional Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel in Windsor on March 30, 2026. The decision was made with the "agreement and understanding" of the family, according to a report by The Sunday Times.
The absence of the Duke of York's daughters comes as their father, Prince Andrew, remains largely removed from public royal duties. This follows his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the subsequent civil sexual assault case, which was settled out of court in 2022.
The annual Easter Mattins service is a significant public engagement for the working royals. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are expected to lead the family attendance, which will include other senior working members. The decision for Beatrice and Eugenie to step back from this high-profile event is seen as an effort to minimize public attention on the wider family during a period of continued scrutiny.
A palace source indicated the move was a mutual decision to avoid overshadowing the occasion. Both princesses, who are not senior working royals, have maintained their own professional careers and charitable work outside the royal spotlight.
