easter royal family

An image of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II making her her address to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic is displayed on the advertising boards at Piccadilly Circus in central London. Photo AFP/ISABEL INFANTES

Here’s how the British Royal Family celebrated Easter

Easter was a bit different this year. Here’s what Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, Catherine, Prince Charles and Camilla had to say on social media.

easter royal family

An image of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II making her her address to the UK and the Commonwealth in relation to the coronavirus epidemic is displayed on the advertising boards at Piccadilly Circus in central London. Photo AFP/ISABEL INFANTES

In years passed, the British Royal Family would spend Easter weekend at Windsor Castle. They would attend church service at St George’s Chapel, followed by a private lunch.

This year, however, things are a bit different and people all over the world spent the holiday apart. The Royal Family was no different.

Here’s what the Royals got up to over Easter

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – Prince William and Catherine – joined the Queen in sending messages of encouragement to the public.

They wished netizens and citizens alike a “safe and happy Easter”. They included the egg and bunny emojis for good measure, as well as the StayHomeSafeLives hashtag.

Sharing a somewhat similar photo, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – Prince Charles and Camilla – invited netizens to listen to the prince’s reading of the Gospel, hosted online by the Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral.

Prince Charles recorded a reading of John 20:1-18, which relates the story of Jesus’ resurrection.

Watch: Queen Elizabeth’s Easter message

Queen Victoria’s Easter tradition

When Queen Victoria was young, her mother would hide painted eggs for her. Princess Victoria of Kent wrote in a letter dated 1833 that stated that “Mamma did some pretty painted and ornamented eggs and we looked for them”.

Victoria continued the tradition for her own children when she became Queen. In another letter, written in 1843, she wrote that her husband, Prince Albert, “hid some coloured Easter eggs in the moss for the children”, adding:

“It is not so many years ago that I used so to enjoy hunting for and finding Easter eggs”.

What was on the Royal menu?

A Royal Easter recipe

Biscuit base

  • 350g plain flour
  • 5g bicarbonate of soda
  • 10g ground ginger
  • 5g cinnamon
  • 125g unsalted butter
  • 175g light soft brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 60g golden syrup

Icing

  • 2 egg whites
  • 600g icing sugar
  • Food colouring of your choice!

Biscuit Method

  • Preheat the oven to 170 C // 340 F
  • Mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a bowl
  • Add the diced butter and mix until a crumb texture
  • Add the sugar
  • Once all of the above is combined, add the egg and golden syrup
  • Mix until a dough is formed
  • Roll the dough to a thickness of 5mm
  • Use biscuit cutters or a paper pattern to cut into desired shape
  • Place the biscuits on a non-stick mat, or parchment paper and bake on the middle shelf for 12-15 minutes
  • Bake until the biscuits maintain their shape when touched and are golden in colour
  • Cool completely before icing

Icing Method

  • Add 1 egg white to 600g of icing sugar and beat until smooth
  • The icing should pipe smoothly and be able to hold when piped as a line
  • To cover all the biscuits with icing add extra egg white to thin the mixture
  • Decorate and enjoy!

Watch: Spiced Easter biscuits