How the royal families celebrate Easter

Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court




As Christians across the world mark Easter today, how do the royal families of Europe mark the holiday?

The royal families of Europe all have different Easter traditions from Norway to the United Kingdom. While some market the important Christian holiday privately, others make public appearances or release photos from their celebrations.

Denmark:

Under the reign of Queen Margrethe, the Danish royals traditionally celebrated Easter at Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus. The Queen painted Easter eggs with her children (Frederik and Joachim) while they were growing up and later with her grandchildren.

Now that a new monarch, King Frederik, is on the throne, celebrations may look a little different. King Frederik and Queen Mary have gone abroad with their children to mark the holiday this year. Queen Margrethe will act as Regent while they are away and celebrate Easter at Marselisborg Palace.

Norway:

King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway spend Easter at The Prince’s Cabin in Sikkildalen. The royals travel there ahead of Palm Sunday and spend Easter privately.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children usually spend the holiday at their private cottage in Ulvdal or travel abroad; however, this year, the Royal Court shared a photo of the Crown Prince Family with the King and Queen at Bygdø Kongsgård (the King’s summer residence) where they gathered ahead of Holy Week.

Photo: Simen Løvberg Sund, The Royal Court

Spain:

The Spanish royals traditionally mark Easter on the island of Mallorca. On Easter Sunday, they attend Easter Mass and pose for photos after the service at the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca. However, over the past couple of years, King Felipe and Queen Letizia have chosen to remain in Madrid to mark the holiday privately with their daughters, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofia. The last time they attended Easter Mass in Mallorca was in 2019.

The Spanish Royal Family Easter 2019. © Casa de SM el Rey

Sweden:

Sweden’s royal family has typically spent the Christian holiday at their cabin in Jämtland which the King and Queen received as a wedding gift in 1976.

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia Easter 2018. Photo: The Royal Court of Sweden

The family has been photographed at Storlien skiing many years in the past, and the Royal Court has released Easter images from the family’s home in the past. The family has also spent the holiday in the French Riveria throughout the years.

Princess Madeleine, who has resided in the United States for the past few years, has marked the holiday in America, but she has often shared photos of her children on Instagram to celebrate.

This year’s plans? The Royal Court told Swedish media: “The Royal Family celebrates Easter privately.”

The Netherlands:

The Dutch Royal Family usually spends the Easter break with Princess Beatrix. Countess Eloise said during a YouTube series, “We go to my grandmother’s house nearly every year. And then we set out to find the Easter eggs in the garden. We have to wait in the little tower until the eggs have been hidden, but there is a window there, so we can usually see everything!”

United Kingdom:

The British Royal Family’s Easter celebrations are well-known. It begins on Maundy Thursday when the monarch usually presents Maundy Money to special individuals who have made a difference in their community and church. With King Charles’s cancer treatment, Queen Camilla stepped in to present Maundy Money this year.

On Easter Sunday, members of the Royal Family walk from Windsor Castle to St George’s Chapel for Easter service. Afterwards, the family dines on roast lamb at Windsor Castle.

Usually, many members of the family are in attendance, but this year will be different. The Prince and Princess of Wales will not attend with their three children as the Princess of Wales recently announced she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer discovered after abdominal surgery.

Although King Charles has stepped back from most public royal duties while he undergoes treatment, he will be attending Easter service with Queen Camilla and members of the Royal Family this year.

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About the Author

Brittani Barger
Brittani is from the United States and has been researching, writing and reporting on the royals for over a decade. Successfully gaining exclusives and interviews with royals across the globe, Brittani left her role as an editor for another news site to help bring you Royal News. She's been seen on BBC World, WION News and other news programs to discuss the royal families.

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