Prince William and Princess Kate have "ducked out" of royal tradition for the second year in a row, as the Wales family chose to spend Easter weekend in Norfolk - missing the key Easter Sunday service in Windsor.
William and Kate's decision - approved by King Charles - meant they could spend quality time with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis before their return to school.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by several other members of the Royal Family at St George's Chapel in Windsor, including Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - joined by their two children Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice.
Discussing the Wales's decision on GB News, former Royal Correspondent at The Sun Charles Rae claimed the move affirms their "devotion to their children", following Kate's cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Prince William and Kate spent Easter weekend in Norfolk, 'ducking out' of the traditional Easter service in Windsor
PA
Rae explained: "I'll tell you exactly what's going on, that the Wales's have decided that they're going to spend the Easter weekend with their family in Norfolk, and the whole ducking out, if you like, of the traditional Easter service.
"Last year they didn't attend the Easter service either, because Easter came just after the Princess of Wales was diagnosed with cancer."
Noting that the Wales family had "permission" from the King to miss the appearance, Rae made clear that the decision was in no way a "snub" to the Royal Family.
Rae told GB News: "They've had the King's permission, so it's not as if it's a snub or anything like that, it's all above board.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royals in Windsor, joined by Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Getty"They have recently returned from France where they had a little skiing holiday, but they wanted to specifically spend the rest of this Easter holiday because the kids go back to school - so it's not a snub, they've just decided to do their own thing."
Revealing more detail about their time in Norfolk, Rae claimed that the Wales family will be hosting an "Easter egg hunt" in the estate of Anmer Hall.
Rae said: "As far as I'm being told, the Wales's will be having an Easter egg hunt in the grounds somewhere - so it's all devoted to the children, as it should be with Easter in any case."
Highlighting Prince William and Princess Kate's forward approach to parenting their three children, Rae emphasised that William is a "family man", and the family are "more modern" in comparison to other members of the monarchy.
Rae told GB News that the Prince and Princess of Wales are 'devoted to their children'
GB News
Rae said: "We'll see them back at Windsor at some stage, but I think there is a bit of a sense of time is running out for William as well, before he becomes King.
"Let's not also put aside the fact that William is very much his own man. For years and years, we've always complained about how the monarchy needs to be more and modern and everything else. Well, they are now much more modern, as we've seen on a variety of issues that they deal with."
He concluded: "And William is a very much a family man, along with Catherine, and they devote as much spare time as they have to their children. And I think that's quite right.
"I don't think anybody could possibly criticise them for doing that. They're still key members of the Royal Family, whenever they turn up they are the principals there who do the job. But I think he gets a bit more leeway than previous people have had."
