The reason Meghan Markle missed Easter Sunday Service with the Queen

published 5 April 2018

Meghan Markle is set join the royal family officially when she marries Prince Harry on the 19 May, but ahead of her big day she missed a key celebration in the Queen's calendar.

Despite preparing to join the royal family full-time this year, and attending her very first official event with the Queen last month, Meghan Markle missed the annual Easter Service attended by most members of the royal family in Windsor.

Prince Harry has missed the royal family's Easter service on several occasions but that didn't stop eyebrows being raised this year when it was revealed that he and Meghan did not attend the service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle - where the couple will marry in May.

Peter Phillips and Autumn Phillips, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and her husband-to-be Jack Brooksbank greet the Queen as she arrives at the Easter Sunday service

A report by ABC News revealed that Meghan missed the royal occasion to fly to Los Angels to see her mum for Easter instead.

ABC News royal contributor Omid Scobie said on Good Morning America: 'Meghan left London last Thursday, with a rare break in her calendar, to fly to Los Angeles to spend time with her mother.'

Omid added: 'It was in Los Angeles that she arrived equipped with sketches from the wedding and of the wedding dress itself so that she could really give her mom some insights into how the big day will look.'

Meghan wasn't the only person to miss this year's Easter service. Like their uncle's bride-to-be, Prince George and Princess Charlotte also skipped the Windsor Castle service and were left with Kate Middleton's parents.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William broke royal protocol this year as they arrived at the Windsor Castle Easter service late - and after the Queen had arrived.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William arrived after the Queen at Windsor Castle

96-year-old Prince Phillip also missed out on the religious celebrations due to a problem with his hip. He has since had surgery and is said to be 'comfortable' in hospital.

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.