Prince William will not attend a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece due to a personal matter, as confirmed by a royal source to CNN. The service, scheduled at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, will be without the presence of the 41-year-old Prince of Wales, who had been expected to attend.
While the source did not provide specifics about the change, they reassured that William’s wife, the Princess of Wales, is progressing well in her recovery from abdominal surgery in January.
The decision was communicated by William himself to the family, signifying the last-minute nature of the change. Meanwhile, Kate, who is recuperating at home, will remain out of the public eye until after Easter.
King Charles III, also absent from the service, is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer. Despite his health challenges, the 75-year-old monarch expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received since his cancer diagnosis, revealing it has moved him to tears.
There is no connection between Prince William’s personal matter and the King’s health, according to another royal source. Instead, Queen Camilla will lead the family in honoring the late Greek monarch at St. George’s Chapel.
Constantine II of Greece, who passed away in January last year at 82, shared a close bond with Charles, who named him godfather to his firstborn, William.
Constantine’s reign ended in 1973 following a military coup and subsequent referendum, leading to the establishment of a republic in Greece. Despite the political changes, Constantine remained influential and respected within royal circles until his passing.
Prince William’s absence underscores the unpredictability of royal engagements, often subject to personal circumstances beyond their control.
