The significant family event Meghan Markle has always missed out on since becoming a royal
The Duchess of Sussex has always missed out on one particular royal occasion over the years despite experiencing so many others
There’s a significant family event Meghan Markle has always missed out on since becoming a member of the Royal Family.
During her time as a working royal the Duchess of Sussex undertook plenty of engagements and attended major family occasions alongside her fellow royals. However, there’s one significant family event that she has always missed out on since becoming a member of the Royal Family. In recent years we tend to only see working royals regularly, though the wider Royal Family still come together for Christmas and Easter. The Duchess of Sussex has celebrated Christmas at Sandringham twice so far, but she’s never joined the royals for the Easter service.
This takes place every year on Easter Sunday at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where Meghan and Prince Harry tied the knot in 2018. Just like at Christmas when they all walk to church together on Christmas Day, the Royal Family are photographed walking down to the chapel together.
However, Meghan missed out on attending the Easter service in 2018, as well as 2019 and 2020. In 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were just weeks away from their fairytale wedding and, as per The Guardian at the time, their spokesperson described their Easter plans as “private”.
It’s possible that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex simply wanted to enjoy some more quality time together away from the public gaze before they said, “I do”. Meanwhile, in 2019 Easter Sunday was 21st April and Meghan was pregnant at the time and gave birth to her and Prince Harry’s son Prince Archie a few weeks later on 6th May. This is perhaps the most likely reason for her missing the Easter church service whilst Prince Harry joined his royal relatives without her.
Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand | Was £9.99, Now £8.72 at Amazon
This fascinating bestselling biography delves into the unknown details of Prince Harry and Meghan's life together. Authors Scobie and Durant paint a picture of a royal couple who aren't afraid to break with tradition and forge their own path.
The following year Easter was during the pandemic and a month after Prince Harry and Meghan had undertaken their final public appearance as working royals. The Royal Family returned to attending the traditional Easter service in person in 2022 and both then and last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex weren’t there.
This means that Meghan has always missed out on this significant family event which is a time when many generations of the Royal Family gather and enjoy each other’s company. The Sussexes aren’t currently expected to make the trip to the UK from their LA home to attend the Easter service this year. However, reports have claimed that Prince Harry is set to fly over in May to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games and that Meghan could potentially join him.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Whether this will be the case remains to be seen, though many fans would no doubt be delighted to see the couple make the trip together. Over the Easter weekend, though, Prince Harry and Meghan will likely be at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. They’re known to have organised Easter egg hunts in the past - as seen in their Netflix Harry & Meghan documentary - and it’s possible this sweet tradition will be upheld.
The couple could also have created new special traditions for Easter over the years. Meghan previously explained to E! News whilst attending Variety's Power of Women event in 2023 that this is something they've enjoyed doing for Christmas.
“We're creating new [traditions] now that our little ones are growing up. And we're enjoying every moment of it," she declared.
Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!
-
Kate Middleton’s divisive hobby she loves doing in the 'dark and rain' that Prince William thinks is 'crazy'
The Princess of Wales opened up about this surprising hobby in a special podcast appearance and revealed the weather doesn't stop her
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The Cafecore trend welcomes cosy coffee shop vibes into your home and perks up your decor
Looking to bring a buzz to your space? This latest interior trend is so simple to achieve in any space
By Emily Smith Published
-
Victoria Beckham's Mango collab has the perfect rival for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's white wardrobe staple
VB's Mango collection has dropped - and it features the white blazer of dreams
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Meghan Markle's squeaky snack is a mouth-watering classic and she knows straightaway if she's 'got the right kind'
Meghan Markle's squeaky snack is deliciously decadent and it seems she's a purist when it comes to one of the key ingredients
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
32 candid photos of Meghan Markle that show her goofy side, from getting the giggles to bad hair days
From getting the giggles to all-too-familiar looks, Meghan Markle's candid photos prove she's really just like us...
By Jack Slater Published
-
Queen Camilla eats Meghan Markle's 'soul-satisfying' snack 'most days' - but 'hated it' at first
Camilla used to dislike Meghan's nourishing go-to - but her mind was changed when she tried an incredible combination
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
The 'American tradition' Kate Middleton included in her wedding that Meghan Markle didn't
There's an 'American tradition' Kate Middleton had at her wedding to Prince William that the Duchess of Sussex didn't choose for hers
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince Harry ‘adamant’ he wants Prince Archie and Lilibet to return to UK - but Meghan is ‘apprehensive’
Prince Harry is reportedly 'very keen' for Prince Archie, Lilibet and Meghan to join him and 'show a united front' on an upcoming UK trip
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
King Charles's unusual nickname for Meghan Markle that reflected his true opinion of her
The King is said to have given a unique but telling nickname to Meghan Markle
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Meghan and Prince Harry declare 'we will not be broken' despite 'criticism and challenges'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's representative has spoken out during the couple's visit to Canada to send a powerful message
By Emma Shacklock Published