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William pulls out of royal engagement for 'personal reasons': Prince makes 'last-minute' decision not to attend godfather's memorial service with cancer-stricken King also absent - as Palace gives update on Kate and insists she is 'doing well'

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Prince William today pulled out of attending a memorial service for the late King Constantine II of Greece at the last minute for unspecified 'personal reasons' - with King Charles III also absent as his cancer treatment continues.

Queen Camilla was instead the most senior member of the Royal Family in attendance - with Prince Andrew also enjoying a prominent role as he led fellow royals on foot to the service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

No further detail was given on William's absence, and it is not known if it relates to his wife the Princess of Wales's recovery after her abdominal surgery last month, although royal sources insisted she was still 'doing well' at home.

Kate will remain away from official royal engagements until after Easter after her surgery. As for Charles, he was at the castle earlier in the day but left before the service began - with the reception afterwards hosted by Camilla.

Constantine was the godfather of William, who was due to give a reading and called the Greek royal family to apologise. Meanwhile Andrew was present today with Sarah, Duchess of York and his daughters Princess Eugenie and Beatrice because it was deemed a personal family event. It is also understood that the Duke of York was attending the service as a member of the British Royal Family and had been invited by the Greek Royal Family.

In Charles's absence from public duties, Camilla has become the most senior royal performing engagements. Another royal source said there was no connection between William's personal matter and the King's health.

This year has seen a sudden shortage of frontline royals after Charles and Kate both went into hospital around the same time last month. The family's health woes have left William shouldering more of the burden of public duties while at the same time supporting Kate and helping care for their three children George, Charlotte and Louis.

Charles was admitted for surgery for a benign prostate condition last month, but subsequently diagnosed with an unrelated cancer. The monarch has withdrawn from public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment. Kate underwent abdominal surgery at the same time and is currently recuperating, following a two-week hospital stay.

The British Crown was represented by Princess Anne, Charles's sister, at Constantine's funeral in Greece last year following his death in January 2023. Constantine was the last member of a century-long dynasty, and had reigned for just three years when an army dictatorship seized control of the country in 1967.

Nearly eight months after the junta seized power, Constantine organised a military counter-coup that failed. He fled to Rome with the rest of the royal family and later to London, living in Hampstead. The junta abolished the monarchy in 1973, and Greeks voted not to restore the royal family after the restoration of democracy in 1974.

Queen Camilla and Queen Anne Marie of Greece depart after the thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Queen Camilla and Queen Anne Marie of Greece depart after the thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Queen Camilla attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle today

Queen Camilla attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew leads members of the Royal Family including the Tindalls to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew leads members of the Royal Family including the Tindalls to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle today

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle this morning

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle this morning

Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla departs the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Queen Camilla attends the thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Queen Camilla attends the thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal attend the service at Windsor Castle today as they walk to St George's Chapel

Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal attend the service at Windsor Castle today as they walk to St George's Chapel

Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla appears to wipe her eye at St George's Chapel in Windsor today during the thanksgiving service

Queen Camilla is greeted as she arrives at St George's Chapel to attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today

Queen Camilla is greeted as she arrives at St George's Chapel to attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew; Sarah, Duchess of York; and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Prince Andrew; Sarah, Duchess of York; and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence at St George's Chapel in Windsor today 

(left to right) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Gloucester at Windsor Castle today

(left to right) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Gloucester at Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew with Sarah, Duchess of York arrive for the service at Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew with Sarah, Duchess of York arrive for the service at Windsor Castle today

Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes (centre) and Queen Camilla (left) arrive together today

Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes (centre) and Queen Camilla (left) arrive together today

(front row, left to right) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady of Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Princess Royal and Queen Camilla at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

(front row, left to right) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady of Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Princess Royal and Queen Camilla at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive for the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive for the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Princess Michael of Kent (left) and Prince Michael of Kent attend the service today

Princess Michael of Kent (left) and Prince Michael of Kent attend the service today

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Today, Andrew led family members including the Princess Royal and Zara and Mike Tindall, who arrived at the chapel after being driven to the castle quadrangle by coach.  

The final member of the British royal family to arrive was Camilla, who was driven down from the castle to the 15th century chapel.

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

Today's service at St George's Chapel was held in honour of the King's close friend and second cousin Constantine II, the former ruler and last king of Greece.

The King missed the service as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Charles, who has been staying at Windsor Castle, left the Berkshire residence at some point this morning.

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

Constantine's eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos stepped in to give the reading in William's place.

Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal attend the service at Windsor Castle today

 Zara and Mike Tindall and the Princess Royal attend the service at Windsor Castle today 

Princess Anne and Sarah, Duchess of York are among the royal arrivals at WIndsor today

Princess Anne and Sarah, Duchess of York are among the royal arrivals at WIndsor today

(From left) Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of Gloucester at Windsor today

(From left) Marina Ogilvy, Prince Andrew and the Duchess of Gloucester at Windsor today

Princess Beatrice (left) and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the service at Windsor Castle today

Princess Beatrice (left) and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at the service at Windsor Castle today

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today

(From left) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy and Prince Andrew

(From left) Princess Alexandra the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, Marina Ogilvy and Prince Andrew 

Prince Andrew drives to the service at Windsor Castle today with Sarah, Duchess of York

Prince Andrew drives to the service at Windsor Castle today with Sarah, Duchess of York

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma (centre) and Zara Tindall at Windsor

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma (centre) and Zara Tindall at Windsor

(left to right) Lord Cavendish of Furness, US climate envoy John Kerry and Dame Norma Major at Windsor Castle today

(left to right) Lord Cavendish of Furness, US climate envoy John Kerry and Dame Norma Major at Windsor Castle today

Zara Tindall attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor today

Zara Tindall attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor today

(front row left to right) Princess Theodora of Greece, Prince Philippos of Greece, Queen Sofia of Spain and Princess Irene of Greece attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today

(front row left to right) Princess Theodora of Greece, Prince Philippos of Greece, Queen Sofia of Spain and Princess Irene of Greece attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle today 

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Guests attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Prince Andrew attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor today

Prince Andrew attends a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine at Windsor today

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York lead members of the royal family in Windsor today

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York lead members of the royal family in Windsor today

(front row left to right) Princess Olympia of Greece, Prince Achilleas of Greece, Carlos Morales and Princess Tatiana of Greece joined by (second row left to right) King Felipe of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Benedikte of Denmark at Windsor today

(front row left to right) Princess Olympia of Greece, Prince Achilleas of Greece, Carlos Morales and Princess Tatiana of Greece joined by (second row left to right) King Felipe of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Benedikte of Denmark at Windsor today

Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece at Windsor today

Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece at Windsor today

(left to right) Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Alexia of Greece attend the service today

(left to right) Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Alexia of Greece attend the service today

Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain are greeted as they attend the service today

Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain are greeted as they attend the service today

Hugh Cavendish, Baron Cavendish of Furness and Grania Mary Caulfeild attend the service today

Hugh Cavendish, Baron Cavendish of Furness and Grania Mary Caulfeild attend the service today

The King was close to his second cousin Constantine, who was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh.

Constantine died aged 82, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.

The King has reportedly sought spiritual advice from his friend Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of the Greek Orthodox Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos. 

Abbot Ephraim is said to have told Greek media outlets: 'Yes, he has been in contact since the diagnosis and I believe he'll overcome it. Charles has a spiritual sophistication, a spiritual life.'

Charles, 75, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer just over a fortnight ago, is not carrying out public duties while he has treatment.

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.

The King had a close friendship with Constantine, choosing him as a godfather for his son William, now the Prince of Wales.

Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and Princess Catherine of Serbia at Windsor Castle today

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia and Princess Catherine of Serbia at Windsor Castle today

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Thomas Hooper and Lady Alexandra Hooper arrive at St George's Chapel today for the thanksgiving service for King Constantine

Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Thomas Hooper and Lady Alexandra Hooper arrive at St George's Chapel today for the thanksgiving service for King Constantine

Sir Jackie Stewart (centre) attends the thanksgiving service at Windsor Castle this morning

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark and Matthew Jeremiah Kumar at the service today

Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark and Matthew Jeremiah Kumar at the service today

Spain's Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, Infanta Cristina of Spain and Juan Valentin Urdangarin attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Spain's Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo, Infanta Cristina of Spain and Juan Valentin Urdangarin attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel in Windsor today

Dax Miller and Alexandra von Furstenberg arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle today

Dax Miller and Alexandra von Furstenberg arrive at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle today

Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Queen Noor of Khorndania and Kyril of Bulgaria arriving at the service in Windsor today

Queen Noor of Khorndania and Kyril of Bulgaria arriving at the service in Windsor today

Members of the Greek Royal Family arrive to attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Members of the Greek Royal Family arrive to attend the thanksgiving service at Windsor today

Sir Jackie Stewart attends a thanksgiving service for King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Sir Jackie Stewart attends a thanksgiving service for King Constantine at Windsor Castle today

Guests attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel today

Guests attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel today

Greece's Crown Prince Pavlos and Greece's Crown Princess Marie-Chantal arrive today

Greece's Crown Prince Pavlos and Greece's Crown Princess Marie-Chantal arrive today

Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark and Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark at Windsor

Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark and Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark at Windsor

Guests attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel today

Guests attend the thanksgiving service for King Constantine at St George's Chapel today


The former king was also godfather to the daughter of Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Kingston.

Camilla and other family members will be joined by the late king's widow Queen Anne-Marie, their eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos and other members of the Greek royal family for the service in the nave of the 15th century chapel.

Charles was unable to attend Constantine's funeral in Athens last year because of commitments which included meeting the president of Cyprus. The Princess Royal represented him at the service.

Constantine, who died in an Athens hospital, acceded to the throne at the age of 23 in 1964.

King Constantine attends church with Charles and Camilla at Sandringham in December 2007

King Constantine attends church with Charles and Camilla at Sandringham in December 2007

King Constantine II and Queen Elizabeth II at Wellington College in Berkshire in October 2011

King Constantine II and Queen Elizabeth II at Wellington College in Berkshire in October 2011

Prince William and Kate Middleton speak to King Constantine at Windsor Castle in 2012

Prince William and Kate Middleton speak to King Constantine at Windsor Castle in 2012

King Constantine (top left) after Prince William's confirmation in 1997 as one of his godparents

King Constantine (top left) after Prince William's confirmation in 1997 as one of his godparents

King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, pictured with four of their children in 2014

King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, pictured with four of their children in 2014 

Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece (centre left) and Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark (centre right) carry the coffin of King Constantine II during a burial at Tatoi in January 2023

Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece (centre left) and Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark (centre right) carry the coffin of King Constantine II during a burial at Tatoi in January 2023

King Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace on February 21, with the pair seen smiling during their first face-to-face meeting since the King's cancer diagnosis

King Charles met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace on February 21, with the pair seen smiling during their first face-to-face meeting since the King's cancer diagnosis

The young king, who had won Olympic gold in sailing, was initially hugely popular.

By the following year he had squandered much of that support with his active involvement in the machinations that brought down the popularly elected Centre Union government of prime minister George Papandreou.

The episode, still widely known in Greece as the 'apostasy' or defection from the ruling party of several politicians, destabilised the constitutional order and led to a military coup in 1967.

Constantine eventually clashed with the military rulers and was forced into exile.

The dictatorship abolished the monarchy in 1973 and a referendum after democracy was restored in 1974 dashed any hopes Constantine had of reigning again.

He lived in exile for many years in Hampstead Garden Suburb in north London, before returning to his home country in 2013.

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