Sharing the Limelight: King Charles and Princess Alexandra Honor London's Royal Chapel
Monarch Charles participates in unique church ceremony - Monarch Charles participates in unique religious gathering
King Charles III, at 76, stepped into the spotlight after his two-day stint in Canada. As reported by outlets such as "The Independent", our newest monarch took part in a soulful service at the Queen's Chapel in London. This took place on the eve of commemorating the chapel's 400th anniversary.
King Charles' royal amigo, Princess Alexandra, a distinguished cousin of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, joined him for this extraordinary event. The pair graced the front row of the historical chapel, where around 200 guests gathered for this solemn ceremony. The choir of the Gentlemen and Children of His Majesty's Chapel Royal provided the melodious soundtrack to the ceremony.
Post-ceremony, the monarch received a special gift, a Ziborium - a ceremonial chalice. This ornate piece of work is the first addition to the chapel's liturgical silver since 1688. Imperceptible within the chalice lies the image of the Green Man, a mythical entity that also adorned the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
King Charles Reunites with Princess Alexandra and the Chapel
This service marked King Charles' first public appearance since his Canadian visit in late May. Together with Queen Camilla, Charles visited Canada, a nation he also represents as its head of state. During his visit, the King delivered a speech in the Canadian Parliament, outlining the new government's agenda.
For Princess Alexandra, the occasion also signified a rare public appearance. Though she actively contributes to the British royal family, her public visibility has dwindled in recent years. Her last prominent public showing was in December 2024 at the traditional King's Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. Almost ten months earlier, in February 2024, she attended a thanksgiving service in Windsor for the late King Constantine of Greece with her daughter Marina Ogilvy.
- King Charles
- Service
- The Independent
- London
- Queen Elizabeth II
A Glimpse at Princess Alexandra's Public Life
Over the years, Princess Alexandra, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has diminished her presence in royal activities due to age and health concerns. While it's challenging to find a detailed, updated timeline of her recent public appearances, we can take a look at the general patterns that her participation reveals:
- Royal Family Gatherings: Princess Alexandra often attends significant events such as state funerals, like Queen Elizabeth II's in 2022, and major royal anniversaries.
- Charitable Engagements: She continues to maintain patronages and occasionally engages in low-key public activities supporting the organizations she represents.
- Health and Age: With age being a factor, Princess Alexandra's public appearances have diminished, often appearing only during family gatherings or behind-the-scenes ceremonial roles.
Key Recent Events
- Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral (September 19, 2022): Princess Alexandra put in an appearance at the state funeral and related memorial services.
- Remembrance Day Ceremonies: She has made occasional appearances at Remembrance Day events, but her presence isn't guaranteed.
- Other Charitable and Family Engagements: Sporadic public appearances can include private family gatherings or official portraits, though they are rarely broadcast in the media.
- The service at the Queen's Chapel in London, marking the 400th anniversary of the chapel, was covered by The Independent, bringing King Charles and Princess Alexandra once again into the entertainment spotlight alongside other celebrities and royals.
- Despite her diminished presence in recent years, Princess Alexandra made a rare public appearance at the event in London, joining King Charles III for an extraordinary service, reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth II's time.
