I DO LIKE MAUNDIES
Hundreds turn out as Royal visitors launch Easter weekend at Cathedral where Richard II is buried
The Queen attended the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral in a tradition which dates back to the 13th century. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she was in high spirits as she distributed coins to 91 men and 91 women.
IT IS a tradition which dates back to the 13th century that has its origins in the story of the selflessness of Jesus.
And the Queen yesterday once again marked the run-up to the Easter weekend by handing out Maundy Money to those deemed most deserving in their local community.
Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, she was in high spirits as she distributed coins to 91 men and 91 women at Leicester Cathedral to mark Maundy Thursday.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the route from Leicester station to the cathedral – where the last Plantagenet king, Richard III, is buried after a failed bid to bring his remains to York Minster – in a bid to catch a glimpse of the Royal visitors.
The Queen, who wore a deep jade dress, matching coat and hat by Angela Kelly, gave two bags to each of the 182 recipients, who were chosen in recognition of the service they have provided to the community and church.
Among them was Ted Cassidy, who said: “It’s been such a wonderful occasion – she’s amazing because she smiled at every single person and then spoke to the children at the end.
“I thought ‘She’s just incredible, a wonderful woman’.
“I got a surprise letter four months ago and I couldn’t believe it, it was such a wonderful surprise.”
Mr Cassidy admitted that he was “quite nervous” before being handed the money.
The 70-year-old said: “It was just amazing to have her so close to me and such a gentle person.
“What a great honour, it’s fantastic.” The service included Handel’s
Zadok The Priest, which is used as the Champions League anthem and is familiar in the area following Leicester City’s footballing success that saw the team crowned the Premier League champions last year in one of the sport’s most unexpected triumphs ever.
Another recipient, Mavis Moore, from Ashfordby, said: “It was an experience, I couldn’t believe it.”
The 86-year-old added: “I’ve been excited and telling everyone since I found out.”
And Jane Gumbs, of Beaumont Leys, said: “It was really nice, lovely, and to see the Queen – it was amazing. She looked young. I never thought I would ever meet the Queen in my life.”
The Queen handed two purses – one white and one red – to each person during the service at the cathedral in the East Midlands city, and it means she has now conducted the Maundy service in every Anglican cathedral in England.
The red purse contained a £5 coin, commemorating the Centenary of the House of Windsor and a 50p coin commemorating Sir Isaac Newton, while the white purse containing uniquely minted Maundy coins, equating in pence to her age.
The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originally celebrated the story of Christ showing his humility by washing the feet of his disciples and instructing them to love one another.
The service has been staged in Yorkshire on a number of occasions, including Selby Abbey in 1969, Ripon Cathedral in 1985, Bradford Cathedral in 1997 and Wakefield Cathedral in 2005.
York Minster has hosted the service twice during the Queen’s reign – in 1972 and 2012.
The last time the Royal Maundy was held in Yorkshire was in Sheffield in 2015.
I’ve been excited and telling everyone since I found out. Mandy money recipient, Mavis Moore, 86, from Ashfordby