The Royal Family are scheduled to arrive at any large-scale event ahead of the monarch owing to strict rules around seniority and precedence. But during the Easter Sunday service in 2018, the Prince and Princess of Wales – who was heavily pregnant with her third child at the time – arrived at St George’s Chapel, Windsor after the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The royals are supposed to arrive in order of ranking, with the most senior member arriving at the service last. However, in 2018, the now-Prince and Princess of Wales arrived late – meaning that they arrived after the late Queen. The monarch, who died aged 96 in 2022, was seen being greeted at the front door of the Chapel – with each of her family members taking their turn to curtsey or bow.
As well as arriving late, the appearance from the Prince and Princess of Wales (then known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) came as a surprise as she was heavily pregnant with Prince Louis at the time.
Just 22 days after the service, Louis – who will celebrate his seventh birthday next week – arrived on April 23.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who were aged four and two at the time, did not attend the service with their parents in 2018.
At the service, Kate dressed her baby bump in an elegant chocolate brown coat by Catherine Walker. The royal also matched her look with a hat from Lock & Co, and large pearl earrings and a matching brooch.