King Charles will visit York to hand out Maundy money for the first time as a monarch
- Every year on the day before Good Friday, the monarch has presented elderly members of the Church of England with special ‘Maundy’ coins
- The King will present 74 men and 74 women with specially-minted silver coins to the value of 74p to thank the pensioners for their service in local communities
The King is to hand out Maundy money for the first time as a monarch when he carries out the ancient ritual in York.
Every year on the day before Good Friday, the monarch has presented elderly members of the Church of England with special ‘Maundy’ coins.
These specially minted pieces are almost always handed out to worshippers over 70, nominated by local dioceses for their contributions to the church and the community.
Charles and the Queen Consort will attend the Royal Maundy Service in York Minister on April 6, where the King will present 74 men and 74 women with specially-minted silver coins to the value of 74p – signifying Charles’s age – to thank the pensioners for their service in local communities.
Last year, Charles, as the Prince of Wales, stepped in to carry out the custom for the first time, acting on the late Queen’s behalf after she experienced mobility problems and could not attend.
The King is to hand out Maundy money for the first time as a monarch when he carries out the ancient ritual in York. Every year on the day before Good Friday, the monarch has presented elderly members of the Church of England with special ‘Maundy’ coins (pictured carrying out the service last year)
These specially minted pieces are almost always handed out to worshippers over 70, nominated by local dioceses for their contributions to the church and the community
Elizabeth II pulled out of the annual Maundy Day church service ‘with regret’, which came after she decided not to attend the Commonwealth service the month prior amid concerns over her health.
King Charles, then Prince of Wales, handed out coins to the value of 96p – to represent his mother’s age – in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
This year will be the first Maundy service since the death of Elizabeth II in September and the start of the Carolean age.
Recipients, who are being thanked for their outstanding Christian service, each receive two purses: one red and one white, with the white one containing the silver Maundy coins.
The red purse will contain two commemorative coins, symbolising the sovereign’s historic gift of food and clothing.
This year the coins will celebrate the King’s forthcoming 75th birthday and the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation.
The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, before Good Friday.
Following tradition, Charles and Camilla will be presented with nosegays – sweet-smelling bouquets – which in centuries past were used to ward off unpleasant smells.
Recipients are selected from Church of England dioceses across the country, and Anglican and Ecumenical partners around the UK.
Due to it being cancelled last year amid the Covid pandemic, the money was instead blessed at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, before being posted to recipients alongside a letter from The Queen.
This meant recipients could still receive their Maundy money and purses, and instead mark the special occasion from their homes.
The Maundy Service happens each year on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. The Queen has travelled to various cathedrals and abbeys to give gifts to local people.
During the service, The Queen distributes gifts according to the number of years she has lived: for example, last year, Her Majesty was 95, and so The Queen distributed 95 pence worth of Maundy money to 95 men and 95 women in recognition for their contribution to community and to the church.
During the service in previous years, the Queen distributed Maundy money to 95 men and 95 women. But the money was sent via Royal Mail instead in 2020, due to the Covid-19 lockdown
