The Prince of Wales has withdrawn from attending a memorial service for his godfather, Constantine II of Greece, at Windsor Castle due to a 'personal matter', Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The palace declined to elaborate on the reason for William's absence but stated that the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, continues to do well. William had been scheduled to deliver a reading at the service in St George's Chapel.
The Prince of Wales personally informed Constantine's family of his inability to attend. King Charles will also miss the service as he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. The King, who has been staying at Windsor Castle, was not expected to meet privately with the dozens of foreign royals who travelled to Windsor for the service.
Constantine's eldest son, Pavlos, will step in to give the reading in William's place. The Duke of York led British royal family members including Sarah, Duchess of York, Princess Beatrice, the Princess Royal, and Zara and Mike Tindall, who arrived by coach. Queen Camilla was the final British royal to arrive, greeted by the Dean of Windsor.
The King was said to be close to Constantine, his second cousin and a first cousin once removed of the late Duke of Edinburgh. Constantine died at age 82 in January last year, decades after being deposed in a military coup.
