How the Royal Family might spend their first Easter without the Queen

Each spring, Queen Elizabeth would take up residence at Windsor Castle for about a month, in a tradition known as Easter Court.

This year, however, the Royal Family will be spending a first, solemn Easter without the late monarch over a weekend that will also mark the second anniversary of Prince Philip's death on Easter Sunday.

The last monarch was particularly fond of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, because she spent so much of her childhood there.

It’s also where she spent most of her weekends, having worked in Buckingham Palace through the week.

Despite initially not being keen on living at Windsor, some reports have indicated Charles has come around to the idea.

What the new monarch intends to implement as his own version of the royal Easter traditions remains to be seen, but when it came to Christmas he publicly stuck pretty much to what had come to be expected during his mother's reign.

Yahoo UK looks back at what the Queen used to do each year for Easter Court, which might indicate what Charles intends to do this year.

Maundy Thursday

Each year, the Queen attended a service on Maundy Thursday, and over the years travelled to every cathedral in the country for the tradition, this year Charles will do the same, visiting York Minster with Queen Camilla.

Maundy Thursday is the Christian celebration marking the day Jesus shared the final passover with his disciples before he was crucified on Good Friday.

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The Queen distributed Maundy money on this day, a tradition which dates back to the reign of Charles II in the 1660s, and which Charles will continue.

She decided early in her reign to ensure the money went further than London, so used to travel frequently for the service.

In 2017, she went to Leicester Cathedral, the final cathedral she had to go to. The coins are legal tender but don’t enter circulation, because of their silver content.

According to the Royal Mint: “Today’s recipients of Royal Maundy are elderly men and women, chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the church and the community.

“There are as many recipients as there are years in the sovereign’s age.”

So this year, Charles will hand out two purses to each recipient, one red and one white. The red purses will contain two commemorative coins symbolising the traditional gift of food and clothing from the sovereign, and one marking the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, and the other the new king's upcoming 75th birthday. The white purses will contain specially-minted Maundy coins.

Dine and sleep events

One of the events the Queen hosted in Windsor over Easter Court throughout her reign was the dine and sleep nights.

Celebrities were invited to have dinner and stay the night in the castle, with previous guests including Tim Peake, Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz. Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter have also attended them in the past.

Whether Charles and Camilla will continue this remains to be seen, but Camilla in particular is known to have a circle of celebrity friends.

Previously, public figures were also invited, including people like the head of Eton College.

Bonham Carter once recalled the event she attended in the Radio Times. She said: “It’s fun! Rachel Weisz was there with James Bond. I stayed in Prince Charles’s rooms.

“We had supper and the Queen and Prince Philip gave us a tour.”

The events usually appear in the Court Circular.

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Easter Sunday – his first day off of the year

The monarch receives the red box of government papers every day, no matter where in the world they are.

The only exceptions to this are Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, so Easter brings one of the two days His Majesty can have a bit of a break.

The Queen used to attend the Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, the only public appearance she would have made over the weekend and it is understood that led by King Charles this is likely to continue.

Afterwards, much like his late mother, there will likely be a private celebration with the family.

After attending church, the monarch is usually given a bouquet of flowers from local children who attended the service.

Is there an Easter egg hunt?

The Queen never took part in an Easter egg hunt, but there are some held at the palaces by the Royal Collections Trust (RCT).

They have in the past held egg hunt trails in the Royal Mews in Buckingham Palace and at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

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A monarch’s work

The monarch doesn’t take the month off during Easter Court – they continues with much of their work.

Charles is also likely to continue with investitures ceremonies, so some people who are receiving honours will get them in Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace.