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Prince William withdrew from the February 27, 2024 memorial service for his godfather, Constantine II of Greece, because of what Kensington Palace described at the time as a “personal matter.” The palace did not give details. Later coverage connected the withdrawal to Catherine, Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis, which she announced on March 22; that connection was not part of the palace’s public explanation on the day.
What happened at the service?
The service was held at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, in memory of Constantine II, the former king of Greece, who died aged 82. It was a memorial or thanksgiving service, not a funeral. William was expected to attend and give a reading, but contacted the Greek royal family to say he could not be there. The Associated Press reported those details.
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What reason did Kensington Palace give?
On February 27, Kensington Palace said: “Unfortunately, the Prince of Wales is no longer able to attend the King Constantine Memorial Service this morning due to a personal matter.” The palace did not elaborate. ABC News Australia reproduced the statement.
Was Catherine’s cancer diagnosis the reason?
Later reporting connected William’s withdrawal to Catherine’s cancer diagnosis. The chronology is important: the palace’s statement on February 27 gave only “personal matter” as the reason, while Catherine announced her diagnosis and preventative chemotherapy in a video on March 22. The private timing of William’s knowledge and the details behind his decision were not publicly set out in the cited accounts.
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In her announcement, Catherine said that tests following abdominal surgery in January had found cancer, and that her medical team advised a course of preventative chemotherapy. Kensington Palace had previously said she was expected to be away from public duties until after Easter. ITV’s timeline reports that she began chemotherapy in late February, without giving an exact date. ITV’s timeline covers the surgery, diagnosis and treatment announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How was King Charles’s absence different?
King Charles III also missed the service while receiving cancer treatment. That was a separate absence: contemporaneous reporting quoted a royal source saying Charles’s health was not connected to William’s withdrawal. ABC News reported on both absences and the distinction.
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