Prince Charles, Camilla Step In For Queen Elizabeth At Royal Maundy Service

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles stepped in for Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Easter Tradition for the first time.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall took part in their first Royal Maundy Service without the Queen, who announced earlier that she couldn't attend the annual Easter tradition. The royal couple attended the Royal Maundy Service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle Thursday, People reported.

Prince Charles' attendance at the event was the first time he filled in for the Queen at the Royal Maundy Service. However, he has attended with the Queen twice before, in 1962 and 1968.

Aside from the Prince of Wales, other members of the royal family had the honor to accompany the Queen on several occasions, including Prince Philip and her granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

In 2019, Princess Eugenie joined the Queen at the Royal Maundy Thursday. The Princess of York sparked pregnancy rumors at the time because she wore a floral Erdem dress, and netizens speculated that she was hiding a baby bump.

The Queen first attended Royal Maunday as Princess Elizabeth in 1935. She traditionally takes part in the annual event. She only missed the service twice following childbirth and two more times because she had a trip to other parts of the Commonwealth.

The annual event takes place three days ahead of Easter each year to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles. The monarch or another royal family member distributes specially-minted coins known as Maundy money to recognize people over 70 years old for their service.

This year 192 individuals received the coins, one man and one woman for each of the Queen's 96 years. Her Majesty will celebrate her 96th birthday later this month.

"It is with regret that she isn't attending," the palace announced last week.

An unnamed source told People that the monarch couldn't commit to attending the event. She was also aware that the order of service was being printed. "[She] was keen that the service was confirmed and all the recipients were aware so as to avoid any misunderstanding or overshadowing of the event on the day," the insider added.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited the Queen before heading to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also met with Prince Charles.