Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince CharlesandCamilla, Duchess of Cornwallare taking part in their first Royal Maundy Service withoutQueen Elizabeth, after she regretfullycouldn’t attend the annual Easter tradition.
The royal couple took the helm of the Royal Maundy Service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Thursday. Taking place three days ahead of Easter each year to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles, the monarch or another royal family member distributes specially-minted coins known as Maundy money to recognize people over 70 years old for their service to their communities.
This year, there were 192 recipients, one man and one woman for each of the Queen’s 96 years (she will celebrate her 96th birthday later this month).
The palace announced last week that the Queen would not attend this year’s service. A royal source tells PEOPLE, “It is with regret that she isn’t attending.”
The source adds that the Queen couldn’t commit to attending but knew the order of service was being printed and “was keen that the service was confirmed and all the recipients were aware so as to avoid any misunderstanding or overshadowing of the event on the day.”
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.Samir Hussein/WireImage
AlthoughQueen Elizabethhas continued to undertake light duties andhold virtual audiencesfrom Windsor Castle, her public outings have grown increasingly rare amid a number ofhealth setbacks. Late last month, she didappear in-person at a Service of Thanksgivinghonoring her husbandPrince Philip, nearly one year after his death at age 99.
The Queen first attended Royal Maundy as Princess Elizabeth in 1935. While she traditionally takes part in the event every year, she has missed the service before during her reign, twice following childbirth and twice because she was traveling to other parts of the Commonwealth.
It will also be the first time Camilla has attended the service. Her appearance will be especially meaningful considering earlier this year,Queen Elizabethannounced her “sincere wish” for Camilla to beknown as Queen Consortwhen Charles takes the throne one day.
Each recipient of Maundy money — one male and one female for every year the Queen has been alive — is given two small leather purses, one red and one white. The first contains a small amount of coinage which symbolizes the monarch’s gift for food and clothing. The white purse contains Maundy coins up to the value of the Queen’s age.
Early in her reign, the Queen decided Maundy money should not just be distributed to the people of London, so she now traveled to various cathedrals or abbeys to give gifts to local people. The recipients were chosen in recognition of their service to the community. As of 2017, the Queen has visited every Anglican Cathedral in England for the Maundy Service.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
“I am sure you will be sad, as I am, that present circumstances make it impossible for that Service to take place,” she added. “I hope however that this Maundy Gift will remind you for years to come that your efforts have been truly appreciated.”
source: people.com
