King Charles has caused surprise and concern among U.K. Christians after opting not to deliver an Easter message this year, a decision that has prompted both criticism and speculation.
King’s Silence Raises Questions
Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles would not be issuing an Easter message this year. The palace clarified that an Easter message is not an annual tradition like the Christmas message, which the monarch delivers every year. However, this decision has not gone unnoticed, especially after the King shared a message for Ramadan in February, wishing Muslims a “blessed and happy Ramadan” on social media.
Royal experts and commentators have expressed surprise, with some suggesting that the decision may upset Christians, particularly as King Charles is the head of the Church of England.
Royal Experts React
Richard Fitzwilliams, a royal expert, told Fox News Digital that the decision to forgo an Easter message was not part of royal tradition. He pointed out that while Queen Elizabeth had only given one Easter message during the COVID pandemic, King Charles did deliver a message last year and participated in the Royal Maundy ceremony in 2024.
Nevertheless, royal commentator Neil Sean emphasized that this year’s silence “came as a shock to most U.K. Christians.” Sean said, “We expect a message from the Monarch,” and suggested that the King’s failure to provide one, especially after making video contributions for Ramadan, was adding to tensions in the country.
Some even questioned whether this move was connected to rumors about the King’s religious beliefs, with some accusing him of being a “secret Muslim.”
The Royal Family’s Easter Post
Although King Charles did not deliver a message, the Royal Family Instagram account shared an image of a cross with the caption, “Happy Easter. He is risen!” The post wished a “joyous Easter Sunday to Christians celebrating in the UK, the Commonwealth, and around the world today.”
The Backlash and Speculation
Several royal experts, including Ian Pelham Turner, have suggested that King Charles’s failure to follow what has become an unofficial tradition could trigger further drama. “How do you turn a Royal drama into a crisis? Simply do not follow decades of tradition and decide not to write an Easter message even though King Charles is head of the Church and swore an oath at his Coronation to uphold the faith,” Turner remarked.
Fitzwilliams, however, disagreed, arguing that Charles’s decision not to deliver an Easter message is not unusual but could be viewed as a “mistake.” He believes that after the King’s message celebrating Ramadan, it would have been fitting to deliver a message for Easter, as it would have avoided the controversy surrounding the absence.
A Longstanding Tradition of Maundy Money
Royal broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard defended the King’s decision, noting that Easter messages are not set in stone like the Christmas message. She pointed out that King Charles has continued the longstanding Royal Maundy tradition, where the monarch distributes Maundy Money to individuals who have given exceptional service to their communities.
This year’s ceremony took place in Asaph Cathedral in Wales, where 77 men and 77 women received specially minted silver coins.
Chard also observed that the focus on King Charles’s absence of an Easter message was overshadowing more significant historical moments, such as Dame Sarah Mullally’s appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Royal Family’s Easter Observances in Recent Years
In 2023, King Charles participated in the Maundy Thursday service as part of the Easter observances, and in 2024, he shared a pre-recorded Easter message emphasizing love, compassion, and shared values across faiths. His message from 2025 reflected on the three virtues the world still needs: faith, hope, and love, with a particular emphasis on love.
Despite these previous public messages and the ongoing tradition of Maundy Money, this year’s decision not to speak directly to the public has led to mixed reactions.
