MAKING HISTORY AT THE ANNUAL MAUNDY SERVICE
HOW SHE IS BEING SUPPORTED BY PRINCESS ANNE AS THEY STEP UP TO CONTINUE ROYAL DUTIES
With the King still scaling back his public duties, the Queen once again held the fort during a busy week of royal engagements – making history in the process.
Her Majesty, together with her sister-in-law the Princess Royal, has impressively taken the helm over the past two months, during which time both the King and the Princess of Wales have had to deal with cancer diagnoses.
She represented the King once more before Easter, this time at the annual Royal Maundy service, held at Worcester Cathedral, where crowds were waiting outside to greet her.
They were rewarded with a walkabout, during which Her Majesty shook hands and chatted.
“Thank you for coming on a horrible day,” one woman told her.
TAKING PART IN TRADITION
The ceremony, which dates back to medieval times, traditionally sees the monarch handing out Maundy money to pensioners in recognition of their service to the church and to the local community.
This year, however, a royal consort performed the ancient ritual for the first time, with the Queen giving the coins, which are specially minted in various denominations, to 75 men and 75 women, with the number signifying the age of the monarch.
Her Majesty also paid a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law on her cream cashmere Fiona Clare coat, wearing one of Elizabeth II’s gold and sapphire flower brooches on each lapel.
Despite being unable to attend due to his treatment, which means he must avoid large gatherings to safeguard his health, the King had recorded an audio message for the congregation. He gave a reading and spoke of his “great sadness” that he couldn’t be there, as well as the need to “serve and care for each other” and “extend the hand of friendship” in times of need.
He said: “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.”
