King thanks public for extending ‘hand of friendship’
Easter message of care and service will be played at Royal Maundy gathering
THE King is to thank all those who “extend the hand of friendship” in times of need, in an Easter message following the Royal family’s double diagnosis with cancer.
The King will speak of the benefits of a nation serving and caring for one another, in a pre-recorded audio message to be played at the Royal Maundy service he is unable to attend in person.
In the Christian address, he will stress the importance of acts of friendship, and rededicate his Coronation pledge of service.
The King, who is head of the Church of England, will speak about how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other”.
As a nation, he will add, “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 in midmarch, weeks after the King’s diagnosis was made public, but before the Princess of Wales announced that she, too, was undergoing treatment for cancer.
He will not refer to the family’s personal circumstances, but his words are likely to be interpreted as acknowledging the public’s response to their news.
The King would ordinarily have hoped to attend the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral today, in which the monarch traditionally hands out purses full of Maundy Money in a custom dating back to 1662.
This year, the symbolic duty will be performed by the Queen – her most solemn act of deputising for him to date.
In his message, which will be played in the cathedral, the King will hail the “wonderful examples of such kindness” performed by this year’s Maundy money recipients, who are “giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities”.
The Easter message will also include a Bible reading.
The 75-year-old King, who acceded the throne 18 months ago and had his Coronation on May 6 last year, will reiterate his pledge “not to be served but to serve”.
It is the first time he has spoken publicly since his daughter-in-law disclosed that she was having chemotherapy. The King is weeks into his own treatment for cancer, and has temporarily stepped back from public engagements under medical advice.
He has been photographed regularly working at home, and is due to attend an Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle under modified conditions including a smaller-than-usual congregation.
The Easter message was recorded in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room in mid-march. The King is photographed behind two microphones, with a vase of spring flowers in front of him and a large ornate candle and house plant behind.
He is sitting at a writing desk behind a mahogany and bronze inkstand.
Last month, he was heard to say he had been moved to tears by the messages and cards of support he received from well-wishers in the wake of his diagnosis.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been “enormously touched” and “extremely moved” by the public’s warmth and support, their spokesman said, after she recorded a video message to tell the world she had also started treatment.
In a walkabout yesterday, the Queen told two young wellwishers who had made the Princess a card: “I know that Catherine is thrilled by all the kind wishes and support.”
She made the comment during a tour of the Shrewsbury Farmers’ Market, where thousands had gathered to see her, and was speaking to two young girls who had hand-drawn get well soon cards for the Princess.
The Queen also promised Lois, six, and Harriet, 10, that she would transport the
letters “carefully” for Catherine. Yesterday, it was also announced that the King’s gardens at Highgrove have inspired a new collection of classic trench coats from Burberry.
The British brand has collaborated with The King’s Foundation, which looks after the King’s private Gloucestershire residence, to create silk scarves and coats that will go on sale for between £120 and £2,490.
The collection is said to honour “the thoughtful, steadfast work” of the King and pictures of delphiniums, the King’s favourite flower, were incorporated into the garments. A portion of the proceeds will go to the foundation.
The Royal Maundy service is a highlight of the royal calendar and normally sees the monarch present coins minted especially for the occasion to people recognised for their community service. The ceremony commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday.
Sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the vulnerable as they did in medieval times, but 75 women and 75 men – signifying the King’s age – will be presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money.
The Maundy Money ceremony began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins.
Republic, the campaign group, has confirmed it will be sending protesters to this year’s service, arguing it is the institution rather than the family they are targeting.
Graham Smith, chief executive, said: “Republic’s campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there.”