King Charles attends Maundy ceremony

King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the service at Durham Cathedral

King Charles and Queen Camilla have taken part in the annual Maundy service which sees the monarch gives out gifts in one of the oldest royal ceremonies.

At Durham Cathedral, specially-minted coins were handed out to 76 men and 76 women - the same number as the King's age - during a traditional Christian service to mark Maundy Thursday.

The event takes place annually on the final Thursday before Easter Sunday and commemorates the Last Supper and the importance of humility and service to others.

In an Easter message before the ceremony, the King said, for people of all religions who "seek the good of others", the core message is one of love for others.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Dean of Durham Philip Plyming

Before the service, the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Philip Plyming, said: "Maundy Thursday is about remembering the service and sacrifice of Jesus, and it will be so special to celebrate, in such a memorable way, those who live out the example of Jesus today."

After the service in the 932-year-old cathedral, the royal couple greeted the crowds of people waiting outside.

Crowds gathered with flags and banners ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen in Durham

King Charles met Pat Johnson, 54, from Jarrow in South Tyneside, who was holding her three-stone 18-month-old Pembrokeshire Corgi named Lilibet.

Mrs Johnson said: "He asked me if she was friendly and he asked me her name.

"I said she was named after the late Queen.

"I said he looked very well and he said, 'you are very kind, it's all smoke and mirrors'."

King Charles spoke with dignitaries and well-wishers in Durham

This year's Maundy coins included a £5 one commemorating the Queen Mother and a 50p commemorating World War Two, with the recipients being people who have helped their local churches and community.

One was Sister Josepha Matthews, from the Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland, who described the ceremony as being very emotional and meaningful.

Speaking afterwards, the 71-year-old said: "It was the most special moment. He made you feel like you were the only person in the whole of the cathedral.

"He put the gifts in my hand and held my hand."

The first recorded distribution of Maundy money was during the reign of King John in 1210

Graham Young, from Winston in Teesdale, County Durham, was chosen as a recipient for his work developing Fairtrade, as well as volunteering locally.

He said: "It was quite extraordinary, the atmosphere was amazing.

"There was all the pomp and circumstance, and then it all really hits you."

King Charles greeted members of the congregation during the service on Thursday morning

The King missed last year's Maundy Service, at Worcester Cathedral, because of cancer treatment, with Queen Camilla giving out the Maundy Money on his behalf.

Queen Elizabeth II decided the annual ceremony should take place in a different Anglican cathedral each year to ensure it was not always held in London.