Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, showed up with Prince William at St. George Chapel on Sunday to celebrate Easter with Queen Elizabeth and rest of the royal family, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are due to be married next month, were conspicuously absent.

Middleton, who is due to give birth to her third child in a few weeks, opted not to take the downhill walk to the entrance of the chapel and took the royal car instead. She was accompanied by Prince William, but their children, George, 4, and Charlotte, 2, were left at home.

The 36-year-old Duchess arrived several minutes after the Queen at the Windsor chapel wearing a chocolate-brown coat and caramel-hued shoes.

The brown coat, designed by Catherine Walker, was reportedly the same one that Middleton wore when she was pregnant with Charlotte.

The Queen, who will be celebrating her 92nd birthday later this month, attended the service without the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, but she was accompanied by Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Princess Anne.

Prince Philip, who retired from public duty last year, also did not attend a high-profile church service on Thursday.

The 96-year-old Duke is said to be suffering from a hip problem, but he has been seen driving around the Windsor Estate last week.

Among the first who took the walk downhill to the chapel entrance were Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

Princess Zara Tindall, who is also pregnant, arrived at the chapel without her husband Mike Tindall and daughter Mia Grace.

Wearing a brightly-coloured blue bespoke Séraphine coat, she took the downhill walk to the entrance and stopped for a chat with Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Eugenie's fiance Jack Brooksbank.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not attend the Easter service at St. George Chapel, where they are scheduled to be married on May 19. Palace officials have said that the couple had other private commitments.

Preparations for the wedding have been moving forward, with Kensington Palace announcing on Sunday that the chapel will be decorated by floral designer Philippa Craddock, whose previous clients include V&A, British Vogue and Hampton Court Palace.

Flowers for the wedding are expected to come from local sources such as the gardens and parkland of Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park.