King Charles III and Queen Camilla marked the Royal Maundy Service on April 2, 2026, at St. Asaph Cathedral in Wales, in a momentous occasion that resonated with the region’s royal significance. It was the first time this traditional service has taken place in Wales since 1982 and only the second occurrence since its inception in the sixth century.
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The Royal Maundy Service, which is conducted on the Thursday before Easter, commemorates the acts of humility and service demonstrated by Jesus at the Last Supper. This year, the ceremony saw King Charles present Maundy coins to 154 recipients — 77 men and 77 women — reflecting his own age. Each participant was honoured for their exceptional contributions to their communities, representing ideals of faith and service that the event embodies.
As King Charles distributed the Maundy gifts, each recipient received two purses. The first, a white purse, contained an assortment of specially minted silver coins totalling 77 pence, symbolising the monarch’s years. The second purse, coloured red, held a commemorative £5 coin celebrating the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth later this month, alongside a 50p coin marking the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, one of King Charles’ notable charitable initiatives.
The tradition of distributing Maundy coins dates back to approximately 600 AD, having evolved significantly over the centuries. The current practice includes the presentation of ‘Maundy Money’ as a royal gift intended to provide the recipients with food and clothing. Although the coins are legal tender, many recipients choose to keep them as souvenirs of this unique occasion.
Significantly underlining the service, King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted with enthusiasm from the public as they arrived at the cathedral. The ceremony featured unique music created specifically by Welsh composers and musicians, contributing to the atmosphere of celebration and community in the return of the service to Wales.
Notably, the event incorporated the Cross of Wales, a historical artefact gifted by King Charles to the Christian community in Wales. This cross, which previously played a ceremonial role during the King’s coronation in month of May 2023, includes a fragment believed to be from the True Cross, which was presented to Pope Francis. The processional cross not only signifies royal history but also underscores the spiritual connection between the monarchy and the Church.
Following the ceremony, both the King and Queen took time to engage with the community, sharing moments with attendees and capturing the occasion in a traditional group photograph outside the cathedral’s West Door. The gratitude and joy exhibited by those involved serve as a testament to the enduring impact of the Royal Maundy tradition.
King Charles has continued the legacy of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who moved the Royal Maundy Service away from a fixed location in London to various cathedrals throughout the UK. This was a significant shift initiated early in her record-setting reign, exemplifying her desire to ensure that the service was accessible to all communities.
The historian lens through which the Royal Maundy Service is viewed reveals it as a remarkable intersection of faith, tradition, and community service. With King Charles assuming this responsibility every year he has been on the throne, an exception noted in 2024 due to his ongoing treatment for cancer, this year holds added significance as the King continues to navigate personal health challenges while upholding royal duties.
As the coronation celebrations and Easter festivities approach, this year’s Royal Maundy Service not only highlighted the importance of charity and community but also reinforced the bonds between the monarchy and the people, especially in Wales. With a new generation of royals actively engaging in a tradition that ties back to medieval times, the relevance of royal service appears poised to thrive in contemporary Britain.