The Princess of Wales attended Easter service alongside much of the royal family, where she chatted with one of Prince William’s cousins

Kate Middleton and James, Earl of Wessex.Credit : Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Kate Middleton shared a sweet moment with a young member of her family, James, Earl of Wessex, as the royals attended an Easter service over the weekend.

The Princess of Wales, 44, was seen smiling and chatting with James, 18, as the family waited to enter the service, which was held at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 5. In a video of the moment shared by Hello! magazine, Kate seemed to be having a friendly conversation with Prince William’s youngest cousin.

Easter marked a rare royal outing for James, the son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. While his parents are working royals, James lives life mostly outside of the spotlight and usually only joins the royal family for major occasions like holiday celebrations.

Kate Middleton and James, Earl of Wessex.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty

Prince Edward, 62, and James attended the Easter church service alongside a large group of other family members, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and more.

However, James’ mother was not in attendance at the Easter festivities. According to the Daily Express, Sophie, 61, was unable to make it because she was “under the weather,” though she had planned to attend before dropping out at the last minute.

James’ sister, Lady Louise, also did not attend, with a source telling the Daily Express that the 22-year-old royal was away at college at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where classes are still in session.

James, Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward and Princess Anne attend the Easter service at St. George’s Chapel.Stringer/Anadolu via Getty

While Edward and Sophie both act as full-time working royals, their two children are not expected to take on working royal roles.

Louise and James are the youngest grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth, and their parents left them the option to choose whether or not they’d like to use royal titles when they came of age. Lady Louise turned 18 in November 2021 but has not publicly adopted a royal title or the Her Royal Highness styling, and James has done the same since he turned 18 last December.

Prince Edward’s son instead holds the title of the Earl of Wessex. James inherited that title when King Charles announced that he had conferred Prince Edward as the Duke of Edinburgh in March 2023.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, James, Earl of Wessex, and Lady Louise in 2022.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

Sophie opened up to The Sunday Times in 2023 about her and Prince Edward’s decision to forgo “His/Her Royal Highness” royal titles for their two children.

“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,” the royal said at the time. “Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”