What's happened
King Charles III delivers a personal Easter message during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral, stressing the significance of friendship and support, especially during times of need. The monarch expresses sadness at not being able to attend in person due to ongoing cancer treatment. Queen Camilla represents King Charles at the service, where she hands out ceremonial coins to honorees for public service.
Why it matters
King Charles III's message on friendship and caring, delivered amidst his cancer treatment, underscores the importance of compassion and support in times of adversity. The monarch's absence at the Maundy Thursday service, with Queen Camilla stepping in, reflects the royal family's resilience and commitment to public duty despite personal challenges.
What the papers say
The Independent and Business Insider UK both highlight King Charles III's emphasis on friendship and kindness in his Easter message, delivered as he undergoes cancer treatment. The Guardian and BBC News provide additional context on the Maundy Thursday service and the significance of the royal tradition.
How we got here
The Royal Maundy Service, held annually on the Thursday before Easter, is a longstanding tradition where the monarch presents specially minted coins to individuals recognized for their community service. King Charles III's recorded message, stressing the importance of friendship and caring, comes amidst his ongoing cancer treatment.
Common question
More on these topics
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Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the British throne as the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. He has been Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay since 1952, and he is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history.
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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, GCVO, CSM, PC is a member of the British royal family. She is the second wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne.
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Royal Maundy is a religious service in the Church of England held on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. At the service, the British monarch or a royal official ceremonially distributes small silver coins known as "Maundy money" as symbolic alms
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Maundy, or the Washing of the Feet, or Pedelavium, is a religious rite observed by various Christian denominations. The Latin word mandatum is the first word sung at the ceremony of the washing of the feet, "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem si
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Easter, also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans