King stresses role of friendship in Easter message
The King is to stress the importance of acts of friendship “especially in a time of need” in a personal Easter message in the wake of his and the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis.
Charles’s pre-recorded audio – his first public words since the Princess of Wales revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy – will be broadcast in his absence at a Royal Maundy service in Worcester Cathedral today.
He will say Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other”, and how as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need”.
While the King does not directly refer to his and his daughter-in-law’s health, his words will be interpreted as reflecting on the nation’s response to his and Kate’s challenges as they continue treatment for cancer.
The Princess released an emotional video message last Friday revealing she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy. She later was said to be “extremely moved” by the public support following her announcement.
Kate faced online conspiracy theories about her whereabouts and her condition after retreating from public view to recuperate following major abdominal surgery in January.
The Queen said the Princess of Wales is “thrilled” by all the public support as she met two sisters holding posters with the words “send our love to Kate”.
Camilla was mobbed by thousands of well-wishers during a visit to a farmers’ market in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, yesterday.
The King told last month how he had been reduced to tears by the messages and cards of support he received after his diagnosis.
The 75-year-old, who only acceded to the throne 18 months ago, will also reamplify his Coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve”.
He has recorded a Bible reading and, in his brief personal message, will describe the Maundy money recipients as “wonderful examples of such kindness” in “giving so much of their lives to the service of others”.
The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient treatment and the Queen is deputising for him at the ancient Royal Maundy ceremony.
Charles was pictured sitting at his desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room as he recorded his message in mid-March.
The King’s message comes as he prepares to attend church on Easter Sunday with Camilla – his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis.
But there will be a reduced number of royals present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds.
Republic, which campaigns for an elected head of state, signalled it would have a small contingent of activists demonstrating in Worcester for the Queen’s visit.
The Royal Maundy service is a major fixture on the royal calendar and normally the monarch, the head of the Church of England, presents specially minted coins to recognise people’s community service.