Prince George made one major change during his debut at the Royal Family's Easter service that signalled future duty. The now-11-year-old made his first appearance at the Easter Sunday Matins service - which is a dubbed a major event in the royal calendar - in April 2022.

As well as it being a debut for the young royal, Princess Charlotte also stepped out at the event for the first time that year. George, who is second in line to the throne, was pictured not holding either of his parents' hands for the first time at a royal event.

The young royal, who was then aged eight, did not appear at the service today - with the Prince and Princess of Wales opting to spend the annual holiday with all three of their children at their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk.

Back in April 2022, George - who arrived wearing a smart suit - looked confident as he was not holding either Kate nor William's hands.

Despite George walking solo, William was, however, holding then-six-year-old Charlotte's hand.

Speaking, at the time, about George, body language expert Judi James said: "This Easter it appears that George’s body language rituals signal a quiet but important coming of age as we see him walking alone between his parents, arms swinging, rather than holding his father’s hand as is usual.

"This change of dynamic, as William holds daughter Charlotte’s hand instead, suggests George is now seen as pretty grown up and able to appear as an individual royal rather than a royal child."

She added: "William even seems to emphasise the decision to allow George to go it alone a little by holding his right arm crooked so that there is no hand dangling for George to hold onto."

Having reportedly given his blessing for them to miss out on today's service, the King, 76, stepped out without his son, daughter-in-law and three eldest grandchildren.

A source told The Mirror: "They are choosing to spend time together as a family before the children go back to school".