Ex-BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole believes "we should have been told" why Prince William was unable to attend King Constantine's memorial service on Tuesday.
The Prince of Wales pulled out of attending a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at the last minute for unspecified "personal reasons".
Queen Camilla was the most senior member of the Royal Family in attendance and was joined by Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and others at the service in St George's Chapel.
Speaking to GB News, Michael Cole said: "It is very unusual. Not unprecedented perhaps. But shortly before the service was due to take place he pulled out for what Kensington Palace said was personal reasons.
Prince William did not attend the service
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"They then indicated that it was nothing to do with his wife Kate, Princess of Wales, whose recovery we were told is progressing very well.
"So why did he do so? What he did do, being the gentleman he is, is ring the widow of King Constantine and his heir, Prince Pavlos to say that he wouldn't be there.
"I'm quite sure they understood the reason. But what is the reason? I was giving brownie points to Kensington Palace over their handling of recent things.
"I thought they were being more candid. I think that was a lot more welcome. But on this one I think they could be a little bit more candid because they could tell us if it is because he's got a toothache or some other explanation.
Michael Cole claimed "we should be told" to avoid speculation
GB News
"Otherwise what you're going to get is a lot speculation and rumours over what's happening. That's always a very bad thing."
"Kensington Palace and indeed Buckingham Palace could go further down the route of letting us into their conferences when they can.
"Of course some things are private. They have to be private and they should be private, but I think we should be told if something like this happens, otherwise people think the worst.
"There's been so much adverse news health news that people jump to conclusions that are not justified."
The Princess of Wales has stepped back from royal duties due to a planned abdominal procedure
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Kate is away from official royal engagements until after Easter following major surgery in January. The King also missed the service as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Constantine’s eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos stepped in to give the reading in William’s place.
The Duke of York led family members including his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice, 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 the Queen, who was driven down from the castle to the 15th century chapel.
Constantine died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.
