By Queen will not take part in the Maundy service
The Queen will not take part in next week’s Maundy Service, instead, Prince Charles will carry out the traditional coin-giving ceremony for the first time.
The 95-year-old monarch has recently had mobility problems but took part in the Thanksgiving Service for Prince Philip.
It will be the first Maundy Service missed by the Queen since 1970.
The service takes place each year on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, with special coins given to pensioners, with one man and one woman chosen for each year the Queen has lived.
The church service would have involved the Queen handing out the “Maundy money” to a line-up of recipients.
It is understood the Queen has decided to give an early confirmation that Prince Charles will represent her instead rather than let speculation about her attendance to overshadow the event.
Although she has had difficulty in moving and last month had to pull out of the Commonwealth Service, she has been taking part in virtual audiences this week.
The annual service marks Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus washing the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper.
The recipients are traditionally local elderly people, who are being recognised for their contribution to the community.
Each recipient is given two purses, one containing a small amount of ordinary coinage and the second containing specially-minted coins up to the value of the Queen’s age.
