Stoic Queen Camilla has been pictured alone on Maundy Thursday as her husband, King Charles, continues to battle cancer.
The Queen is attending a religious service at Worcester Cathedral today, where she will represent the King by presenting 75 men and 75 women (signifying the age of the Monarch) with two purses.
One of these purses will be red, while the other will be white, containing Maundy Money.
It is very uncommon for a Monarch to be represented by their spouse on Maundy Thursday, however, King Charles has paused public-facing duties during his cancer treatment.
Queen Camilla arrives at Worcester Cathedral
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Queen Camilla wore a beautiful white coat today
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Despite not attending today, King Charles has released a special video message ahead of the service urging the nation to extend the hand of friendship to those in need.
The Maundy Thursday ceremony commemorates Jesus’ example of service the night before he was crucified.
Bible accounts describe how Jesus gathered with his disciples for the Last Supper and washed their feet.
A medieval ritual developed with the King at the time washing the feet of 12 old men, to show he was the servant of his people.
Queen Camilla accessorised with black leather gloves
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Later, it also became customary for the Monarch to give the poor alms on Maundy Thursday, while King Henry IV decided the number of coins should reflect the Monarch’s own age.
Queen Elizabeth II attended the Maundy service almost every year of her reign.
She began the tradition of travelling around the UK to different cathedrals, so people in different regions would be recognised through Maundy gifts.
In 2022, Charles as the Prince of Wales deputised for his elderly mother.
Queen Camilla kept warm with a beige fluffy hat
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The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester Cathedral greets Queen before Royal Maundy Service
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Last year, King Charles made his first Maundy distribution at York Minster as Monarch, with Queen Camilla by his side.
Now, Camilla will take the helm at the service at Worcester, while the King steps back from public engagements due to his cancer treatment.
Prince William will not attend as he is focusing on Princess Kate and their children as she undergoes chemotherapy.
Queen Camilla is currently shouldering several royal duties amid the shortage of working members of the Royal Family.
