Queen to present Maundy gifts to 150 people

The last Royal Maundy Service in Worcester took place in 1980

The Queen will be visiting Worcestershire later this month for the annual Royal Maundy Service.

Her Majesty Queen Camilla will be distributing gifts on behalf of the King at Worcester Cathedral on 28 March.

Ceremonial coins will be presented to 75 men and 75 women from around the country, including 39 people from Worcestershire and Dudley.

The coins are in recognition of their service to the Church and community over many years.

The tradition of presenting gifts on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the fourth century.

The first record of a monarch doing this in England was 1213.

In recent times, it has been the tradition for the service to travel to different cathedrals and was held in York last year.

It last took place in Worcester in 1980.

As Lord High Almoner, Bishop of Worcester John Inge will accompany the Queen as she presents the gifts.

He said: "It is an honour to be able to welcome Her Majesty the Queen to Worcester.

"This is an immensely special service and I know it will mean a huge amount to those who have been chosen to receive the coins, all of whom will have given years of service to their local communities."

Worcester Cathedral’s Interim Dean, Canon Stephen Edwards, added: "We are delighted that Worcester has been chosen as the location for this year’s Royal Maundy service.

"We will be pulling out all the stops to create a special occasion for all the recipients."

The Maundy service will take place in the morning and will be attended by invited representatives from across the diocese and county, including the recipients and their guests.

The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin word meaning commandment.

It reflects the events of the night of the Last Supper as told in the Bible.

At the Last Supper, Jesus commanded that people should love one another, he then washed the feet of his disciples as an act of kindness.