Stepping out on Thursday in
the place of the monarch, who usually always attends the church service,
Charles and Camilla appeared in high spirits.
They were welcomed by the Dean
of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, who gave the address at Prince
Philip’s moving service of thanksgiving last month, before taking their seats
inside the chapel with the rest of the congregation. The Prince told the
congregation of his mother: “She’s close by and would want me to
extend to you her greetings.”
In keeping with tradition,
Charles and Camilla were presented with nosegays – sweet-smelling bouquets –
which in centuries past were used to ward off unpleasant smells during the
ceremony.
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Camilla and Charles stepped in for the Queen on Thursday
The Royal Maundy service is an
important fixture in the royal calendar and the Queen is usually tasked with
distributing Maundy money to those who have made a significant contribution to
their community. This ancient duty fell to Prince Charles at this years’
service.
Charles distributed the
Maundy coins to 96 men and 96 women – as the Queen will be 96 this year,
celebrating her birthday on 21 April. Each recipient received two purses,
one red and one white.
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The Duchess looked elegant in a navy and white coat dress
The white purse was filled
with uniquely minted Maundy money – silver 10p and 3p pieces – to the value of
96 pence. In the red pouch was a £5 coin and a 50p coin portraying the
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Both coins have been newly minted this year.
Buckingham Palace announced
last week that Her Majesty would not be taking part in the service.
It is understood the Queen, who has been experiencing mobility issues, was
unable to commit to the event and so the heir to the throne was asked to
represent her.
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The couple posed for a group photo after the service
The monarch has only missed
the service four times before; the last time was in 1970 when the Queen Mother
distributed the Maundy money on behalf of her daughter who was on tour in New
Zealand.
