The King and Queen are today attending the Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral in north Wales, marking a historic return of the ceremony to the principality for the first time in more than four decades.
The occasion represents only the second time in the event’s long history that it has taken place on Welsh soil, with the previous Welsh service held in 1982.
The ancient cathedral, known in Welsh as Llanelwy, is hosting the traditional Maundy Thursday ceremony where His Majesty will distribute gifts to recipients recognised for their Christian service and community contributions.
Following the service, the royal couple will join the Royal Maundy Party for a customary photograph at the West Door before greeting members of the cathedral community.
King Charles and Queen Camilla | Source: PA
Approximately 154 individuals will receive the traditional Maundy Money during today’s service, comprising roughly 77 men and 77 women drawn from across Wales and other UK dioceses.
Each recipient will be presented with two purses by the King. The white purse contains specially struck silver coins with a combined value of 77 pennies, a figure corresponding to His Majesty’s age.
The red purse holds two commemorative pieces: a £5 coin marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, and a 50p coin celebrating five decades of The King’s Trust.
Recipients are chosen in recognition of their exceptional Christian service and positive impact within their local communities. The Bishop of Norwich, serving as Lord High Almoner, assists the monarch in the distribution ceremony.
King Charles | Source: PA
The Royal Maundy tradition has deep historical roots, with the first recorded royal distribution taking place at Knaresborough in North Yorkshire under King John in 1210.
Maundy Thursday falls on the Thursday preceding Easter and commemorates Christ’s Last Supper with his Apostles. The ancient customs of almsgiving and foot washing during Holy Week date back centuries.
Since the 15th century, the number of recipients has been linked to the sovereign’s age.
This year’s recipients have been selected primarily from the six Welsh dioceses of Swansea and Brecon, St Asaph, Bangor, St Davids, Llandaff and Monmouth. Four English dioceses bordering or close to Wales have also been included: Chester, Hereford, Lichfield and Sodor and Man.
St Asaph Cathedral holds the distinction of being Britain’s smallest ancient cathedral, with the present structure dating from the 14th century.
The site has maintained continuous worship for 1,450 years and played a crucial role in preserving the Welsh language. An original copy of the William Morgan Bible from 1588 remains on display, with Morgan later becoming Bishop of St Asaph in 1601.
Today’s service features specially commissioned music from Welsh composers and musicians to mark the ceremony’s return to Wales.
The processional Cross of Wales will be used during the service.
This cross, gifted by the King to Welsh Christians, led the procession at the 2023 Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
It contains a fragment believed to be from the True Cross, presented to His Majesty by Pope Francis.
Graffiti | Source: PA
It comes as anti-monarchy demonstrators defaced St Asaph Cathedral with the slogan “Not Our King” painted in bold red lettering this morning.
The graffiti appeared on the cathedral wall before the scheduled arrival of the King and Queen for the traditional Maundy Thursday ceremony.
Staff were observed attempting to remove the paint from the historic building’s exterior this morning.
A tarpaulin was draped over part of the vandalism to conceal the damage before the royal visit.
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