Queen Camilla has stepped in for King Charles at one of the biggest events yet as he continues his cancer treatment.
The Queen is distributing the traditional Royal Maundy Money on behalf of her husband in the traditional pre-Easter service, which this year was held at Worcester Cathedral. It is believed to be the first time that a spouse of the monarch has been tasked with handing out the gifts.
However, Charles isn't missing completely from the service, a pre-recorded audio message was played to the congregation, where he stressed the importance of acts of friendship “especially in a time of need” in the wake of his and the Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis and spoke of his sadness of not being able to be there.
The audio is a Bible reading and in his brief personal message, he described the Maundy money recipients as "wonderful examples of such kindness" in "giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities". He also said how Jesus set an "example of how we should serve and care for each other", and how as a nation "we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need".
He said: "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 organisations 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. The 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."
The King, who later held an audiences at Buckingham Palace with the ambassadors of Moldova and Burundi, did not directly refer to his and his daughter-in-law's health but his words will be interpreted as reflecting on the nation's response to his and Kate’s challenges as they continue treatment for cancer. Pictures show Charles sitting at his desk in Buckingham Palace's 18th Century Room as he recorded his message in mid-March.
Inside the cathedral, Camilla wearing a Fiona Clare cream cashmere coat and gold and sapphire brooches that once belonged to the late Queen, presented 75 men and 75 women (signifying the age of the Monarch) with two purses: one red and one white, containing Maundy Money. The white purse has 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 as well as Anglican and Ecumenical partners across the UK. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. Royal Maundy is one of the most ancient ceremonies retained by the Church of England.
The late Queen Elizabeth accompanied by Prince Philip distributed Maundy Money at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, April 3, 1980, when 54 men and 54 women received Maundy money. The first recorded Royal Distribution was at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire by King John in 1210.
Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, had a small contingent of activists demonstrating in Worcester for the Queen's visit. The group said last week on social media: "We're very sorry to hear about Kate’s cancer diagnosis and wish her a speedy recovery."
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But Graham Smith, chief executive of the group, said on Wednesday: "Unlike royalists, we don’t conflate the family with the institution. It’s the institution we’re protesting against this week. This is a campaign about principles, politics and reform. Republic's campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there."
The Maundy services comes as Charles prepares to attend church on Easter Sunday with Camilla – his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis. But there will be a reduced number of royals present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds.