Ancient tradition

The Queen presented purses of coins to pensioners to mark Maundy Thursday. With the Duke of Edinburgh, she distributed Maundy money to 91 men and 91 women – to represent her own 91 years – at Leicester Cathedral. The recipients of a £5 coin marking the centenary of the House of Windsor and a 50p coin dedicated to Sir Isaac Newton were senior citizens who had provided service to the church and their local area. The Royal Maundy tradition dates back to the 13th century.