The Royal Watcher - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Queen Camilla represented King Charles III, the Head of the Church of England, as she presided over the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral on March 28th, following last year’s Royal Maundy Service at York Minster.
On arrival at Worcester Cathedral, Queen Camilla was greeted at the North Porch Door by the Lord-Lieutenant, the Lord High Almoner and Bishop of Worcester Cathedral. After being presented with the traditional nosegay, a small flower bouquet, Queen Camilla processed up the centre nave for the service and took her seat next to the Lord-Lieutenant.
The Queen distributing purses of Maundy Money @WorcCathedral
The white purses hold specially minted coins to the value of 75p, a penny for each year of The King’s age
The purses are made by Barrow Hepburn & Gale, who make the famous red despatch boxes pic.twitter.com/1FkY3V7ZEu
— The Burgon Society (@burgonsoc) March 28, 2024
During the service, Queen Camilla presented 75 men and 75 women (signifying the age of the monarch) with two purses: one red and one white, containing Maundy Money. In the white purse will be a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins.
The money is to thank recipients for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. Recipients are selected from Church of England dioceses across the country, and Anglican and Ecumenical partners across the UK.
This year the red purse contains a £5 coin which features the image of a Tudor dragon, and a 50p coin commemorating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary.
.@BishopWorcester assists HM The Queen as she distributes the Maundy Money. pic.twitter.com/KBDquLS83L
— Diocese of Worcester (@CofEWorcester) March 28, 2024
The service ended with a blessing by the Lord High Almoner and then the National Anthem. The Queen processed back down the centre nave before signing the cathedral’s visitors’ book. Queen Camilla joined the Royal Maundy party for a photograph by the West Door before meeting groups of people outside who have been instrumental in the delivery of the Maundy service.
The King says it is “a great sadness” that he cannot be at the Royal Maundy Service today. In an audio message, he renewed his pledge “not to be served, but to serve” and said “that I have always tried to do and continue to do with my whole heart”. Listen to his message here pic.twitter.com/gBBga9D0MY
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) March 28, 2024
The King recorded an audio Bible reading and brief personal message in the 18th Century Room at Buckingham Palace to be played to the congregation during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today. The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart. It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other.
In this country we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organizations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.
The 150 men and women who have been chosen today to receive the Maundy Money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities.
This act of worship, here in Worcester Cathedral, reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service – to follow Christ’s example ‘not to be served but to serve’.
That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart. It is my special prayer today that Our Lord’s example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities.
May God bless you all this Easter.”
Queen Camilla wore her Coronation Diamond Earrings and a pair of Cartier Gold and Sapphire Flower Brooches from the collection of the late Queen Elizabeth II.