‘It is with great sadness I cannot be with you all’
King records message for Maundy Service as Queen stands in for him wearing Elizabeth II’S jewels
THE Queen wore a pair of brooches that belonged to Elizabeth II as she distributed Maundy money on behalf of the King, who expressed “great sadness” that he could not attend the service.
The King, 75, was unable to join the congregation at Worcester Cathedral because he is being treated for cancer.
Instead, he recorded an audio message, in which he said the traditional Easter ceremony “has a very special place in my heart”.
In his absence, the Queen became the first consort to take on the role of presenting ceremonial coins to retired people who have supported the Christian church and their communities.
The 76-year-old arrived at the cathedral shortly before 11am and was greeted by the Lord High Almoner John Inge, the Bishop of Worcester.
Nearby, a large group of protesters from anti-monarchy group Republic shouted “down with the crown”.
Wearing a cream cashmere coat by Fiona Clare, a brown Lock & Co hat and two matching sapphire and gold brooches, the Queen smiled broadly and posed for photographs before heading inside.
Her oversized brown fluffy hat, featuring a vintage-style faux fur trim, is an old favourite that she has worn several times, occasionally embellishing it with feathers.
It appeared to be a version of the milliner’s £375 Estate hat, which is described as “the optimum hat for country pursuits and snowy occasions” and an excellent choice “for those searching for cosiness in the winter weather”.
The matching clip brooches, from Cartier, were given to the late Queen by her parents in the 1940s, when she was in her late teens.
The brooches were worn by Princess Elizabeth during a visit to North America in 1951. She also wore them on a visit to Bracknell in 1991 and to the Epsom Derby in 1995.
The service marks the night of the Last Supper when Jesus Christ washed the feet of his 12 disciples on the night before his death.
The King told the congregation that in doing so, the Lord “deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other”.
He added: “In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare.
“But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”
The message was recorded at Buckingham Palace earlier this month, several weeks after the King revealed his own diagnosis but before the Princess of Wales announced that she too was undergoing cancer treatment.
It is likely to be interpreted as an acknowledgement of the public’s outpouring of support in recent weeks.
The King also reaffirmed his own Coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve”. He began the short Easter message with an expression of regret that he could not attend in person.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is, for me, a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today,” he said. “The Maundy Service has a very special place in my heart.”
Last year, his first as monarch, the King followed in the footsteps of his late mother by presenting pensioners with Maundy money at York Minster.
The ceremonial coins are given to a number of male and female recipients equivalent to the monarch’s age, delivered in two purses, one red and one white.
Volunteers who have supported the Church and their communities are recommended by clergy of all denominations to receive the gifts.
The King said: “The 150 men and women chosen today to receive the Maundy money from my wife are wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities.
“The act of worship reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service – to follow Christ’s example ‘not to be served but to serve’.”