The King is due to distribute specially-minted silver coins at the traditional Royal Maundy service in Durham Cathedral on Thursday – the first to be organised by the Bishop of Norwich in his new role as Lord High Almoner.
The service will see King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, give 152 people Maundy money in recognition of the Christian service they have given to their churches and communities.
The tradition dates back to the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and commanded them to love one another, before sharing bread and wine with them. Centuries ago monarchs washed the feet of people chosen to receive Maundy ‘alms’ and the Lord High Almoner and his assistants still wear linen towels for the service.
Bishop Graham will open the service with the words: “I give to you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you are to love one another.” The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment.
Bishop Graham said: “I was honoured to be appointed to this ancient role. The Royal Maundy service is deeply prayerful and I look forward to joining The King and Queen and meeting the recipients who have served their churches and communities for so many decades.”
Ahead of the service he will welcome the recipients, telling them: “Each of you is inspiring in what you have given – treasures in the store of God’s Church. Thank you for your witness.”
He will explain how the ceremony has taken place in England for well over a thousand years and say: “Today The King will take part in an abbreviated form of an ancient ceremony commemorating Jesus’s words and actions.”
This year the Maundy Money will be given to 76 men and 76 women, the number representing the age of King Charles III.
Each will receive a pair of purses, one of red leather and the other of white, made from leather from the deer of Windsor Great Park. In the red purses, representing the value of the food and clothing given in medieval times, are a £5 coin commemorating The Late Queen Mother, and a 50p coin featuring Stories of World War II. The specially minted silver coins of the Maundy Money will be in the white purses.
The Royal Maundy service will include representatives of the cathedral, city and university of Durham, and of world faiths.
The Royal Maundy was last held at Norwich Cathedral in 2015 and the last Bishop of Norwich to be Lord High Almoner was appointed by King Charles I in 1626.
Pictures: Durham Cathedral, copyright: Durham Cathedral. Royal Maundy 2024, copyright Worcester Cathedral. King Charles III and the Bishop of Norwich after Bishop Graham’s appointment as Lord High Almoner, copyright: PA.