The Prince of Wales pulled out of a memorial service for his godfather King Constantine of Greece following his wife’s cancer diagnosis, it is understood.

At the time of the service, Kensington Palace said William’s decision not to attend was due to a “personal matter” but gave no further details.

The palace said the Princess of Wales was recovering from abdominal surgery and continuing to do well ahead of the memorial last month.

William, who was due to deliver a reading, called the Greek royal family who attended the service in St George’s Chapel to let them know he was unable to attend.

Constantine’s eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos stepped in to give the reading in his place.

William’s late godfather Constantine died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.

Constantine was also godfather to Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston.