British royals go to Easter service without Harry and Markle

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, center and members of the Royal family arrive for the Easter Mattins Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Sunday, April 1, 2018. AP

LONDON, United Kingdom — Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William and his wife, Kate, and other senior British royals celebrated an Easter church service Sunday at the chapel where Prince Harry and American fiancee Meghan Markle will get married in May.

Harry and Markle did not attend the service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England. Palace officials said their weekend plans were private.

Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, also did not attend. The 96-year-old has retired from public duties and been seen less frequently.

Most of the royals walked down the hill from Windsor Castle to the chapel, but the 91-year-old queen arrived by car, wearing a purple fuchsia coatdress and matching hat.

William and Kate also took a car to the chapel, arriving at the church a few minutes late. They emerged without their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Kate is expecting the couple’s third child later this month.

Jack Brooksbank, who is engaged to the queen’s granddaughter Princess Eugenie, made his first Easter appearance with the royal family. Brooksbank and Eugenie, the daughter of Princess Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, plan to wed in October. /cbb