The stoic Princess Anne had a watchful eye on her youngest nephew as the Duchess of Edinburgh pulled out of the Easter service at the last minute on Sunday morning.
The royal family, led by King Charles and Queen Camilla, arrived at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Prince Edward and his 18-year-old sons were the only ones of the Edinburgh clan, as Sophie was unwell that day and Lady Louise, 22, was “busy with her studies”.
Normally, Sophie would guide her children according to royal protocol, but Princess Anne has taken on the role of James’ doting aunt.
James waited with his aunt to shake hands with the clergy and quietly stepped back so Anne could take the lead. Instead, Anne gently contacted James and informed him of the protocol, informing him that he could begin. Prince Edward’s son steps forward and shakes hands with the clergy.
Meanwhile, Anne’s own daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall were not in attendance. However, Peter Phillips and his future wife Harriet Sperling had joined the royal family with Peter’s two daughters and a future daughter-in-law, Georgina.
Although Sophie wasn’t there for the annual service, she already has a few commitments planned after the holidays, including a reception at St James’s Palace.
