King Charles will join Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family for Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle - as Kate Middleton and Prince William miss event following shock cancer diagnosis

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend this weekend's Easter Sunday service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace confirmed today.

Royal aides also revealed this morning that the couple would be 'accompanied by other members of the Royal Family', although no further names were given.

The decision for Charles to attend will be viewed as significant given that it suggests the King's doctors are happy for him to be at an event despite his cancer treatment.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children George, Charlotte and Louis will not be there as they spend the holidays together after Kate's cancer diagnosis. 

As Buckingham Palace announced the King's forthcoming engagement, Charles was pictured carrying out official duties for the first time since Kate shared her news.

King Charles III at Buckingham Palace for a Windsor Leadership Trust event this morning 

King Charles III (3rd right) at his audience in the Billiard Room at Buckingham Palace today

King Charles III at Buckingham Palace today with Vijaya Nath (left) and community faith leaders from across the UK who have taken part in a Windsor Leadership Trust programme

King Charles III greets Dame Martina Milburn at Buckingham Palace in London this morning

King Charles III (3rd right) at his audience in the Billiard Room at Buckingham Palace today

King Charles III leaves Windsor Castle and heads to London in a car this morning

Charles met community and faith leaders from across the UK in London today. The monarch, with a folded cardboard place name in front of him labelled 'HM The King', was shown in conversation around a large antique table in the Palace's Billiard Room.

He was welcoming alumni from the Windsor Leadership Trust, which encourages multi-faith dialogue, harmony and understanding at a time of heightened tensions.

Charles and Camilla will go to the Easter Mattins Service - as it is officially known - which will run for one hour from 10.45am until 11.45am, according to the chapel. 

The service will be preceded by holy communion from 8.30am until 9am. There will also be a said eucharist from 12pm to 12.45pm, then evensong at 3.30pm to 4.15pm.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave the London Clinic together on January 29, 2024

2023 - King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Princess Anne and Prince Andrew as they attend the Easter Mattins Service in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 9 last year

2023 -- The Prince and Princess of Wales with George, Charlotte and Louis at the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel on April 9, 2023

2022 -- Prince William and Kate with Prince George and Princess Charlotte attend the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2022

2019 -- Members of the Royal Family including Prince Harry, Kate and William watch as Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel om April 21, 2019

The King has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February after he had an operation for an enlarged prostate at the London Clinic.

The confirmation comes four days after Charles's daughter-in-law Kate revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

William and Kate will not attend the service, which is unlikely to be a large family gathering or service because Charles has paused public-facing royal duties.

William is due to return to public duties after his children return to school following the Easter break. For now, he will continue to balance supporting his wife and family, and maintaining his official duties as he has done since her operation in January.

1986 -- Queen Elizabeth II leaves St George's Chapel, Windsor after the Easter Sunday service

1977 -- Princess Anne and Queen Elizabeth arrive for the Easter Sunday service in Windsor

1969 -- Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Queen Elizabeth II at the Easter service in Windsor

It is not known how long Kate will be receiving treatment but it is understood she may be keen to attend events as and when she feels able to, in line with medical advice, although this will not indicate a return to full-time duties.

Charles's Easter Sunday engagement will be seen as the King making a move to reassure the public following the shock news.

The King is still undergoing treatment for cancer himself, but has been carrying out low-key official duties behind palace walls.

Although the Easter service is within the grounds of the castle, the King and Queen will be seen arriving, and are often watched by staff living at Windsor, who usually gather on a grassy bank nearby or watch from their doorsteps.

At last year's service, the King and Queen attended along with Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Sophie and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.