THE EASTER bank holiday was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite holidays to celebrate.
With a strong pride in her faith, the long weekend was a time for the Royal Family to spend quality time together and reflect on the holiday.
But after the Queen’s death at 96 in September last year, this year’s celebrations will look a little different with King Charles hosting the family in Windsor.
The King and Queen Camilla have spent Easter at their Scottish residence, Birkhall, in the past, but it is expected that they will host the royals in Windsor this year.
Speaking to The Sun, royal expert Ingrid Seward revealed that the weekend will be a joyous occasion for the family ahead of the King’s Coronation on May 6, at Westminster Abbey.
And it will be a big day for his grandson and heir to the throne, Prince George, who will be one of the King’s four Pages of Honour at the Coronation.
She said: “As Easter is early this year it is also the second anniversary of Prince Philip’s death on Easter Sunday and the Queen Mum died on Good Friday of Easter 2002 – 21 years ago. I think the mood will be happy as they were all very old but reflective.”
The royal expert expects there to be a private prayer said in the private chapel for Queen Elizabeth – with family and the immediate household attending.
On Thursday, the King and Queen attended the Royal Maundy service, which is a ceremony that has taken place every year in England since 600 AD and the Queen started the tradition of taking it nationwide at different cathedrals each year.
The Queen would then make her way to Windsor for the four-day celebrations.
On Easter Friday, chefs would prepare fresh hot crossed buns and the extended family will go to St. George’s chapel on Easter Day.
“Afterwards, they have drinks in the Deanery with the Dean of Windsor, who is also invited for lunch,” Ingrid added.
But the King will not stay at Windsor for the duration of the period like his mother used to do. Instead, Ingrid says he will return to London and “possibly” go to Sandringham.
It is also said that Prince Louis, 4, the second son of Prince William and Princess Kate will join the family for church on Easter Sunday for the first time.
“Charles is a traditionalist so I am sure he will do things as they have always been done since he was a child. This means over the four days of Easter all meals are served in the Queen’s private dining room,” said the royal expert.
While it’s thought King Charles will stick to tradition, there is one rule he is open to relaxing explained Ingrid.
The royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine explained “They will all have dinner together but not the young children they will eat in the nursery dining room.
“The Queen always said until they could hold a knife and fork properly they could not eat at the table, but Charles might have relaxed that rule a bit. But dinner is only for grown-ups.”
The Easter feast often consists of roast lamb and could include venison, pheasant chicken, spring vegetables, new potatoes, and carrots. Salmon caught in the River Dee and roast ham could be included, and all of the food will be sourced from the Royal Estate.
She added that it will all be English food and include favourites like rhubarb crumble with cream from the royal dairy.
