Princess Eugenie has previously accompanied her grandmother the Queen to the Royal Maundy Service, marking Maundy Thursday in the UK. Last year, the two royals handed out coins to pensioners and commemorative purses were given to 93 men and 93 women at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, referring to the Queen’s 93rd birthday on April 21, 2019.

This year, however, the Queen and her granddaughter were not able to attend the Royal Maundy Service due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This will be very sad for Eugenie, who is not considered a working royal, and does not often accompany the Queen to official events.

Eugenie normally works as a director at the contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth in London.

Last year, when the Queen arrived at the chapel with her granddaughter, they were presented with traditional nosegays, which in ancient times warded off unpleasant smells, before taking their seats at the head of the congregation.

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The Royal Family has taken part in Maundy ceremonies since the 13th century.

This year, however, the Queen has handed out Maundy money by post for the first time in her reign.

She told Christian pensioners she was “deeply disappointed” not to be able to meet them in person.

The Queen is currently isolating with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle.

She wrote a letter to recipients of the coins to send her thanks and prayers, saying the coronavirus crisis does not mean their “invaluable contribution within the community goes unnoticed”.

The letter read: “I have great pleasure in sending you the Maundy Gift which, unfortunately, I am unable to distribute to you personally at the Royal Maundy Service in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Thursday, 9th April.

“This ancient Christian ceremony, which reflects Jesus’s instruction to his Disciples to love one another, is a call to the service of others, something that has been at the centre of my life. I believe it is a call to service for all of us.

“It is one of my most rewarding duties as Sovereign to observe this highly significant ceremony at such an important point in the Christian calendar.

“I know that you, as a Recipient of this year’s Maundy Gift, will be as deeply disappointed as I am that it is not going ahead, while understanding the necessary decision in the current circumstances.

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“However, this should not mean your invaluable contribution within the community goes unnoticed, and I am sending this Maundy Gift to thank you for your Christian service.

“My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult times.

“With my best wishes to you this Easter, Elizabeth R.”

While Princess Eugenie won’t be able to spend the Easter holiday with her grandmother this year, she is close by.

Eugenie is believed to be spending lockdown at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park with her parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

The Royal Lodge is only a short 20 minute drive away from Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip are isolating.

Princess Eugenie’s husband Jack Brooksbank is also thought to be at the Royal Lodge, while her sister Princess Beatrice is with her fiancé Edoardo in London.

The family usually attends to Easter Sunday service held at St George’s Chapel and is an important Royal Family reunion.

However, with churches closed across the country the family will have to forget the Easter tradition this year.

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