Royals attend Easter service

12 April 2012

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, have attended the traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor.

A small contingent of Royals joined more than 400 people in Saint George's Chapel in the grounds of the castle.

The Earl of Wessex, his sister the Princess Royal, her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and son Peter Phillips entered the chapel first, opposite which an area was set up for members of the public to watch.

The Queen arrived in a car accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who married the Queen's son Edward, Earl of Wessex in the chapel in 1999.

The Queen, dressed in a long raspberry coat and maroon hat with a pink silk flower, paused briefly to wave to the well wishers before entering the chapel.

The traditional matins were led by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Rev David Connor. As well as various hymns sung by the chapel's celebrated choir, there were the traditional Easter psalms and lessons.

After the hour-long service the Queen and her family had refreshments in the deanery before leaving.

Before she got into her car, the Queen was presented with a bouquet of pink hyacinths and roses by eight-year-old Abigail Gainher, the granddaughter of one of the Windsor knights Major Bobby Gainher, who lives in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The presentation is something of a family tradition. Three years ago Abigail's sister Natasha, now 10, presented the bouquet and their little sister Maddie, 5, is hoping to do the same.

The three girls said they were all "very excited" to see the Queen again.

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