Prince William pulls out of godfather's memorial service at Windsor Castle over 'personal matter'

The Prince of Wales had been due to deliver a reading at the service
Lydia Chantler-Hicks27 February 2024

The Prince of Wales pulled out of attending the memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle due to a personal matter, Kensington Palace said.

The Palace would not elaborate further but said the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to be doing well.

The Prince of Wales had been expected to give a reading at the service on Tuesday, in honour of his godfather, the late King Constantine of Greece, who died last January.

William reportedly called the Greek royal family, who are attending the service at St George’s Chapel, to let them know he was unable to attend.

Constantine’s eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos is to step in to give the reading in William’s place.

Queen Camilla is greeted as she arrives at the memorial service for the late King Constantine
Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is also away from official royal engagements until after Easter, following major surgery in January. The Palace has not disclosed the nature of her treatment, but previously confirmed it was not for cancer.

The King - who is second cousin to the former Greek monarch - was also missing Tuesday’s memorial service as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Dozens of foreign royals travelled to Windsor to attend the service but the King is not expected to meet them privately.

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York was seen leading family members including his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice, and Zara and Mike Tindall who arrived at the 15th century chapel by coach.

The final member of the British royal family to arrive at the chapel was Queen Camilla, who was driven down from the castle.

(Left to right) The Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal, attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine of the Hellenes at St George's Chapel
Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

She was warmly greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev Christopher Cocksworth, at the Galilee Porch.

King Constantine was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.

He died 'of a stroke', local media reported, following several hospital admissions in the months before. 

The royal, the only son of King Paul and Queen Frederica, was nephew to the late Duke of Edinburgh and godfather to Prince William.

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