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’

Prince William today pulled out of attending a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece at Windsor Castle at the last minute for ‘personal reasons’.

Queen Camilla instead led members of the Royal Family at the event in the absence of both the Prince of Wales and King Charles III, whose cancer treatment continues.

No further detail was given on William’s absence, and it is not known if this relates to his wife Kate Middleton ‘s ongoing recovery after her abdominal surgery last month.

The Prince of Wales, who was due to give a reading, called the Greek royal family to apologise, while Kensington Palace insisted Kate was still ‘doing well’ at home.

Constantine II of Greece, who died in January 2023, was William’s godfather. Kate will remain away from official royal engagements until after Easter after her surgery.

Prince 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.

Andrew led family members including Zara and Mike Tindall who arrived at the chapel 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.

As for Charles, he was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day but left before the service began – with the reception afterwards set to be hosted by Camilla.

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.

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.

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.

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.