The King shared a witty remark in response to a compliment about his good health at a significant royal event today, where he and Queen Camilla participated in the traditional Maundy Thursday Easter service at Durham Cathedral. As the head of the Church of England, the monarch handed out specially crafted coins to individuals acknowledged for their community contributions. This marked Charles’ return to the service after missing it last year due to his battle with cancer. During the ceremony, he distributed Maundy money to 76 men and 76 women, symbolizing each year of his age, in appreciation of their Christian dedication to their communities.
Following the service, the royal couple interacted with well-wishers outside the Cathedral under the sunny skies of spring. Among the attendees was Pat Johnson from Jarrow, South Tyneside, who had her three-stone 18-month-old Pembrokeshire Corgi, named Lilibet, with her. The King took notice of the Corgi and engaged with Mrs. Johnson, expressing gratitude for her kind words with a self-deprecating comment.
The Maundy service, held in Durham for the first time since 1967, honored 152 recipients from dioceses in northern England and Scotland. Sister Josepha Matthews, representing the Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland, described the experience as deeply touching and personal, emphasizing the King’s warm interaction and appreciation during the ceremony.
Graham Young, recognized for his efforts in promoting Fairtrade and local volunteering, reflected on the extraordinary atmosphere of the event and its historical significance dating back to 1210. This year’s Maundy Thursday holds particular significance as the King recently penned a heartfelt message acknowledging the dual nature of humanity, encompassing both cruelty and kindness, in the spirit of Easter.
The Royal Family’s Easter festivities will continue with the King and Queen leading other family members in the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. As they resume their routines post a challenging period, the Mirror has launched a Royal WhatsApp community to provide real-time updates and exclusive news about the royal family directly to users’ phones. Members can join the community by following a provided link, and receive special offers and promotions while being free to exit the group at any time.