Prince Edward and Sophie’s son James, Earl of Wessex, 18, is given prominent role at Easter Sunday service as he beams alongside Kate and William during rare royal outing

Prince Edward and Sophie’s son, James, Earl of Wessex, was given a more prominent role in the Royal Family’s traditional Easter Sunday service and smiled alongside William and Kate during a rare outing.

James Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, walked right behind the Prince and Princess of Wales, who arrived with other senior royals for the ceremony at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday.

William and Kate were accompanied by 12-year-old Prince George, ten-year-old Princess Charlotte and seven-year-old Prince Louis, as well as James and his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Earl of Wessex was captured chatting cheerfully with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel before entering the Easter Matins service led by the King and Queen.

They were joined by Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; However, James’ mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and his sister, Lady Louise, were not at the ceremony.

Absent from the Easter service were the disgraced former Duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

The princesses missed the traditional gathering by making alternative Easter plans as part of their agreement with the King.

However, sources have suggested that they will join the Royal Family in the future.

Princess Catherine smiles as she talks to Prince Edward and Sophie’s 18-year-old son

Meanwhile, former prince Andrew, who is accused of leaking secrets to Jeffrey Epstein, was last seen slashing a lone person walking his dogs at his Sandringham estate on Saturday.

He has kept a low profile and retreated from public royal duties since his arrest on his 66th birthday on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. Following an hour-long Easter service, during which prayers were said for the Royal Family and the National Anthem was sung, the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Reverend Christopher Cocksworth, Dean of Windsor.

About 20 minutes later Charles came out with Camilla and Given the poor weather conditions, he walked around in an abbreviated meet-and-greet to applause from members of the public waiting patiently outside the church.

From the early hours of that morning, a large crowd of royal fans had gathered to find a spot to watch the royal procession making its way down from Windsor Castle.

As the king’s carriage drove away, other members of the royal party, led by the Welsh, happily waved at well-wishers and wished them a ‘Happy Easter’.

As they walked up the hill towards the castle, Kate hugged Charlotte, putting her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her tightly.

The Welsh were followed by Princess Anne and her husband, followed by her granddaughter, Savannah, and Isla Phillips and her soon-to-be half-sister, Georgina.

Peter Phillips and his fiancée Harriet could be seen holding hands as they walked back to the castle.

The Earl of Wessex (pictured) was captured chatting cheerfully with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel before entering the Easter Matins service.

James, Earl of Wessex, arrived at Windsor for the Easter service with his father, Prince Edward, and walked towards the Chapel behind the Wales (pictured)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured) was spotted walking his dogs in the Sandringham grounds on Saturday – especially when he wasn’t at Easter Mass

King III. Charles (pictured) waves as he arrives with family members at St George’s Chapel in Windsor

Queen Camilla (pictured) spoke to well-wishers after attending Easter Mass

After the ceremony, Charles and Camilla walked around in a brief meet-and-greet to applause from the crowd waiting patiently outside the chapel.

James walked out with the remaining royal family.

The late Queen Elizabeth II James, Elizabeth’s youngest grandson, is currently 16th in line to the throne and eighth after Beatrice and Eugenie expanded their family.

Following his 18th birthday in December, much speculation arose about his future as a royal, with both he and Louise growing up without HRH titles after Sophie and Edward decided to give them as ‘normal’ an education as possible.

At the moment, royal commentators know little about whether James will follow Louise and attend university or move up in the public sphere as a royal employee.

He is currently completing his A-Levels at the prestigious Radley College in Oxfordshire.

While Lady Louise, who is currently studying English at the University of St Andrews, has started going out more often, James has kept a low profile so far.

Following James’ (pictured) 18th birthday in December, much speculation emerged about his future in the royal family.

At the moment, royal commentators know little about whether James (left) will follow Louise (right) and go to university or move up in the public sphere as a royal employee.

Last year, writing in the Palace Confidential newsletter, the Daily Mail’s Daily Editor, Richard Eden, expressed how the increased contribution of Edward and Sophie’s children could be of great value to the Royal Family.

He wrote: ‘When Prince William becomes King, I hope he will follow the example of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and ask his cousins, including Lady Louise and James, to share royal duties with him.

‘I hope William will realize that a ‘weakened’ monarchy will not preserve the institution, as some claim, but will instead lead to its irrelevance and eventual demise.

‘What better way to develop their strengths than through an injection of energy from young people who are instilled from birth with the values ​​of public service and duty?’