Prince William and Kate Middleton encourage social distancing with Easter message

Queen Elizabeth II previously said 'we need Easter as much as ever'

Royal couple shared photo of lawns of Kensington Palace (Getty)

Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared a new photo of the exterior of Kensington Palace as they celebrate Easter while social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posted a photo of the grounds of Kensington Palace to the Kensington Royal Instagram, where the lawn can be seen filled with yellow daffodils.

“Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter,” the caption reads. “#StayHomeSaveLives.”

The Easter message prompted the couple’s followers to also share their well-wishes.

“And the same to you, Happy Easter and please be safe,” one person wrote.

Another commented: “Happy Easter to all the royal family and those at Kensington Palace! The daffodils are beautiful!!”

The royal couple are not the only ones to practise social distancing this Easter, as other members of the royal family have also urged people to stay home in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.

Also sharing a photo of yellow daffodils, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, wished their followers a Happy Easter on the Clarence House Instagram account.

“Wishing you all a very Happy Easter,” the couple said, adding that the Prince of Wales would be “reading the Gospel for Easter Day services hosted online by Westminster Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral”.

Earlier in the weekend, the Queen shared what is believed to be her first-ever Easter message, during which she reminded the country that "by keeping apart we keep others safe”.

During the pre-recorded message, the 93-year-old monarch also said the virus would not cancel Easter, as the holiday is needed “as much as ever”.

“This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever,” Queen Elizabeth II said. “The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.”

Typically, the Queen and other members of the royal family celebrate Easter by attending church services together at St George’s Chapel.