Queen Camilla set to make history as first consort to lead special royal event in absence of King Charles

Queen Camilla set to make history as first consort to lead special royal event in absence of King Charles

Watch: King Charles 'insisted' Camilla went on holiday as Queen 'needs a break'

GB News
Hannah Ross

By Hannah Ross


Published: 05/03/2024

- 09:11

Updated: 05/03/2024

- 09:14

The Queen will take part in the Ceremony of the Royal Maundy in March

Queen Camilla is set to lead a special royal event in absence of King Charles.

The King, who is unable to attend the engagement as he continues cancer treatment, traditionally hands out ceremonial coins during a century’s old tradition.


Camilla will make history as she become the first consort to hand over Royal Maundy gifts at Worcester Cathedral.

Despite Queen Camilla dropping consort from her royal title she remains consort as she is married to the sovereign.

At the end of March, the Queen will present purses of coins to 75 men and 75 women on Maundy Thursday.

Camilla

Queen Camilla will lead a traditional event in the absence of King Charles

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The late Queen Elizabeth II took part in the Ceremony of the Royal Maundy for more than 70 years.

The first record of a monarch handing out coins for the Maundy service dates back to 1213.

Maundy Thursday is an Easter celebration and marks the night of the Last Supper in the Bible.

The occasion marks the end of Lent on the Christian calendar and comes on the last Thursday before Easter.

Camilla

The Queen will hand out Maundy gifts at Worcester Cathedral

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A Twitter/X post from Worcester Cathedral said: “We are SO excited to announce that we will be welcoming Her Majesty The Queen to the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday (28 March) as we host the Royal Maundy service.

“HM The Queen will be distributing the Royal Maundy on behalf of His Majesty The King at this year’s Service.”

Traditionally the service travels to different cathedrals each year; it last took place in Worcester Cathedral in 1980.

The tweet continued: “The gift is presented in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.”

King Charles

King Charles is not expected to attend the event as he continues cancer treatment

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Camilla

The Maundy service takes place on the last Thursday before Easter

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Since his cancer diagnosis, the King has stepped back from public facing duties but continues to work through his red box at home.

The monarch is also expected to miss the Commonwealth Day annual service on March 11, and will mark the event with a video message instead.

Queen Camilla will lead the Royal Family for the service at Westminster Abbey in the absence of her husband.

The ceremony is one of the most important events in the royal calendar and is attended by senior members of the Royal Family including the Prince of Wales.

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