Today, The King and Queen attended the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral.
Last year, Charles was not able to attend the Service following his cancer diagnosis, but Camilla stepped in to represent The Monarch. Despite not being able to the service, Charles’ presence was very much felt as her recorded a special message which was played at the Cathedral.
The couple were met at the Cathedral by Reverend Philip Plyming and the Lord High Almoner, Bishop Graham Usher..
King Charles and Queen Camilla were presented with the traditional nosegay – a small flower bouquet, to literally make the nose gay (happy) – as they entered Durham Cathedral, and sat as the service began.
Royal Maundy is an annual event in the royal calendar. (Royal Family)
Her Majesty opting to re-wear an outfit from the 2024 Easter Sunday service. Camilla chose a green ensemble, paired her emerald Anna Valentine coat dress and matching Philip Treacy hat. For jewellery, Camilla chose Queen Mary’s Celtic Knot brooch – a piece becoming a firm favourite of Camilla’s.
The King and Queen attended the Royal Maundy service. (Royal Family)
The King walked along a line of recipients, saying a few words of gratitude to each as the purses were distributed, continuing the tradition of royal alms on this special day in the Christian calendar.
During the ceremony, recipients received two purses: one red and another white. Maundy coins were given to 76 women and 76 men, representing the Monarch’s age. This is based on a decree dating back to the time of Henry IV.
The King handed out maundy money at the Royal Maundy Service. (Royal Family)
The white purse contained a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins, equivalent in value to the age of The Monarch (76p). The red purse contained a £5 commemorative coin featuring the Queen Mother and a 50p coin featuring stories from WW2.
The coins were given to those senior citizens in recognition of their service to their churches and communities. The sum is nominal – less than £6 – but the coins are specially struck and for most recipients a special memento, and their worth far outstretches the face value.
A close up of Maundy Monday. (Royal Mint)
The service on Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus washing the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper; it takes place every year on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. The royal ceremony of awarding gifts on this day dates back to 600AD.
The first English Monarch to be recorded as distributing alms at a Maundy service was King John, of Magna Carta fame, in 1210. In Knaresborough, Yorkshire, the King donated food, clothes and other gifts but it was in 1213 that the record of a silver coin distribution was made.
By 1363, under Edward III, the Monarch washed the feet of peasants, imitating Jesus. This was a tradition that ceased in the 18th century.
