King Charles has a royal first as he hands out Maundy Money

King Charles III has handed out Maundy Money at St Asaph Cathedral, continuing a royal tradition
stretching back centuries. However, over 800 years after this
ceremony first took place, The King added a first. In 2026, royal
Maundy was held in north Wales for the very first time.

The ancient ceremony, rooted in centuries-old customs, saw the
King distribute Maundy money to a group of carefully selected
recipients in recognition of their service to their
communities.

This year’s service was especially notable as it marked the
first time the Royal Maundy ceremony has been held in North Wales.
Bringing the tradition to St Asaph Cathedral highlighted the
monarchy’s effort to reflect and include all parts of the United
Kingdom. The choice of location carried symbolic weight,
recognising the cultural and historical importance of Wales while
allowing local communities to take part in an event that was, for
decades, held in London.

Maundy Thursday, which falls during Holy Week in the Christian
calendar, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his act
of washing the feet of his disciples. The royal Maundy service
reflects this spirit of humility and service. Rather than washing
feet, as was once the tradition, the monarch distributes specially
minted coins to pensioners who have demonstrated exceptional
commitment to their local communities.

This year, the King presented Maundy money to 77 men and 77
women, corresponding to his age. Each recipient received two
purses: a red purse containing a small sum in ordinary coinage, and
a white purse holding specially struck Maundy coins. The white
purse is the most symbolic, as the coins inside are legal tender
but are rarely spent, instead kept as cherished mementos of the
occasion.

The ceremony unfolded with careful precision, blending solemnity
with warmth. As the King moved along the line of recipients, he
paused to exchange a few words with many of them, acknowledging
their contributions and offering personal thanks. This human
element is a key part of the tradition, reinforcing the connection
between the monarchy and the people.

The King was accompanied by Queen Camilla who, in 2024,
distributed Maundy Money on behalf of The King when he was advised
to rest as he was first treated for cancer.

Today’s service also highlighted the King’s ongoing commitment
to continuing royal traditions while subtly shaping them for a
modern era. Since ascending the throne, he has emphasized
community, service, and environmental awareness, themes that
resonate strongly with the values celebrated during the Maundy
ceremony. His presence in Wales for the service further underlined
the importance of representing all parts of the United Kingdom.

The music and liturgy within the cathedral added to the
reflective tone of the day. Choirs performed traditional hymns,
their voices echoing through the historic stone interior, while
readings and prayers focused on themes of compassion, charity, and
humility. The service was both a religious observance and a public
expression of gratitude toward those who quietly make a difference
in society.

For the recipients, the experience was clearly meaningful. Many
spoke of feeling honoured not just to receive the coins, but to be
recognised by the monarch for work that is often carried out
without expectation of reward. Their stories—ranging from decades
of volunteering to acts of local leadership—served as a reminder of
the strength and resilience found within communities across the
country.

As the service concluded, the King departed to applause, leaving
behind a sense of continuity and reflection. And there was time for
a walkabout after the service with King Charles and Queen Camilla
meeting many of those who had come out to see them.

The King and Queen are now heading to Windsor where the will
spend the Easter weekend. They are expected to be joined by many
members of the Royal Family on Easter Sunday when they will attend
a church service at St. George’s Chapel. However, it’s already
known that
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie won’t be joining them as
they are spending Easter away from Windsor after ongoing
controversy around their father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He was
arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office
and later released under investigation.