King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, waved to crowds as they left the Maundy service at York Minster a short time ago.

Image source, Getty Images

The royal couple were in the city for the annual service which takes place at a different cathedral across the country every year.

Today, King Charles gave 148 people the special Maundy coins.

Image source, Getty Images

Large crowds welcomed the royal couple, with a small anti-monarchy protest taking place nearby.

The King and Queen Consort spoke to people in the crowd before leaving.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

That's all from our live coverage from York Minster today. Thank you for joining us.

Anti-monarchy protesters were among the crowd meeting King Charles III as he visited York Minster for today's Maundy service.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

Several people, some with loudhailers and signs, made their voices heard against the monarchy, carrying "Not My King" banners.

Image source, Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

However, supporters of the monarch booed the protesters and called "God save the King" as protesters shouted messages against the King.

Image source, Getty Images

Bell-ringers at York Minster say it's "exhilarating" to welcome the King and Queen Consort to York Minster today for the traditional Maundy Thursday service.

Image source, Tom Ingall/BBC

In total, 13 people have been positioned high in the Minster tower ringing the bells.

Ahead of the Maundy service, David Hull (pictured above), who has almost 50 years’ experience, said it would be a "magnificent occasion" with a special method of playing being used.

"We’ll be ringing the bells before the service, a quarter peel, which is about 60 minutes of ringing - a method called 'grandsire cinques'.

"It is a method first devised in the 1700s, and it’s a method of ringing different permutations of the bells for that whole hour."

Mr Hull is part of a team which rang the bells when the King came to York Minster last year to unveil the statue there to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Image source, Tom Ingall/BBC

Meanwhile, York Minster bell-ringer Elva Ainsworth (pictured above) says they had practised "really hard", but had not been able to train for the last couple of days.

"In Holy Week we tend to be silent, so Easter really shines forth. So [today] will be a very special ring.

"It’s so exhilarating and exciting. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. When we pull off - the first ring of the ropes - the noise is so loud and Magnificat up there."

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, have met crowds outside York Minster following the Maundy service.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

The royal couple also took part in a photo opportunity outside the Minster.

There were shouts of "God save the King" as the Royal couple made their way around the Minster crowds.

The King and Queen Consort spoke to people who had been waiting for hours to catch a glimpse of them.

The Maundy service taking place at York Minster today actually dates back to 600AD.

Image source, Royal Mint/PA Wire

Meanwhile, the specially minted coins - like the ones pictured above from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II - have kept much the same form since 1670, according to the official website of the Royal Family, external.

The first recorded Royal distribution was in 1210 at Knaresborough in North Yorkshire by King John.

For many years, the money was only distributed at cathedrals in London, but Queen Elizabeth II started the tradition of holding the service at venues around the country.

During her 70-year reign, the late-Queen presented Maundy Money at every Anglican cathedral in England.

Today's Maundy service at York Minster is very special for all those involved, the Dean of York says.

Image source, Tom Ingall/BBC

The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington says York Minster is honoured to be selected for the service, which sees King Charles distributing the special coins to 148 people at the Minster.

"Taking place in Holy Week, this historic service symbolises humility, care, kindness and appreciation of others," he says.

"The King's Maundy gift will be a moment of celebration and thanksgiving for 148 exceptional people who have made an impact in their communities," he adds.

The arrival of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, at York Minster for today's Maundy service saw big crowds lining the route to grab a glimpse of the royal couple.

Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Charles and Camilla were greeted at the Great West Doors by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

The King and Queen Consort were presented with the traditional nosegay, a small flower bouquet, as they entered the cathedral.

Image source, ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Today, 74 men and 74 women are receiving Maundy money from King Charles in a ceremony at York Minster whose origins date back many centuries.

But what is that like to receive Maundy money from the monarch?

Four years ago, Jean Dale was presented with Maundy money by Queen Elizabeth II for her community and church work.

When the letter arrived on her doormat with "Buckingham Palace" written on the envelope, she jokes that she thought she had "been knighted".

"I was absolutely shattered when I received it. It was a lovely thought," she told BBC Radio York.

During the ceremony, Ms Dale, from Naburn, was told she could only thank the monarch.

However, she says the main issue she had was trying to work out what to wear for the changeable April weather, as well as buying a hat for the day.

"That wasn’t easy. I went round York and Malton and Harrogate and I couldn’t find anything!"

However, in the end Ms Dale says it is a day she will never forget: "It is special money. A day to remember."

Hundreds of people packed the streets outside York Minster to welcome the King to the city a short time ago.

Lots of people waving flags met King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, ahead of the Maundy service at the Minster.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

King Charles is now inside York Minster preparing to distribute Maundy money to 148 people from the city.

Image source, Royal Mint/PA Wire

Every year on Maundy Thursday, the monarch hands out the special coins to pensioners in a service which commemorates Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper.

During this year's service at York Minster, the King will hand each recipient a white purse and a red purse similar to the ones pictured above which date from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The white purse is filled with specially minted coins equivalent in value to the age of the monarch – King Charles is 74.

Meanwhile, the red purse contains two commemorative coins.

This year one will celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming 75th birthday and the other will commemorate 75 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks, in Essex, and the start of a wave of post-war migration of Commonwealth citizens from the Caribbean to Britain.

This was the moment King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrived at York Minster ahead of the Maundy service.

Image source, Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

Just after 11:00 BST, King Charles waved to crowds as he stepped out of his car after arriving at the main doors of the Minster.

Image source, Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

King Charles III has just arrived at York Minster, ahead of today's Maundy Thursday service.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

There were loud shouts from people who were lining the streets to welcome the King and Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Some people are waving flags with the King's face on which feature the date of the King's coronation next month.

Joshua Cook
BBC News

Ahead of the Maundy Service the streets around York Minster are packed - with some locations being up to 10 people deep.

Some visitors have been here since 07:00 BST, hoping to grab a good spot to catch a glimspe of the King and Camilla, Queen Consort.

A total of 148 people will receive Maundy money from King Charles at York Minster shortly - but why has the Minster been chosen as the location for the first Maundy service of the new King's reign?

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

The King has the final say in where to host the ceremony, according to Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (pictured above with the King and Queen Consort in November).

"We weren't really expecting this. We were delighted because it's his choice where he comes. There's not a rota. In the end, it's his decision," the Archbishop says.

King Charles III was last in York in November to unveil a statue to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

"We didn't think he'd be back so soon, but I think it does say something about his love for this place. It's the Mother Church of the North," the Archbishop adds.

"I think there is significance that he's chosen to come here."

There is a small protest near York Minster ahead of King Charles III's visit for today's Maundy Thursday service.

Image source, Jonathan Cowap/BBC

Several people holding yellow signs upon which is written the phrase "Not My King" are protesting against the monarchy.

Image source, Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

They are far outweighed by hundreds of supporters who are already lining the streets ahead of the visit to the Minster by King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort.

It is a “great honour” for York Minster to host King Charles III’s first Maundy service, the Archbishop of York says.

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell says the visit of the monarch is a "joy".

"Indeed, it’s the second time he’s been to York Minster and he’s only been on the throne eight months or whatever it is, so it’s a great honour," he says.

"But I think it says something about his love of York and his love for York Minster."

Jonathan Cowap
Presenter, BBC Radio York

This is the scene outside York Minster, which is now bathed in April sunshine ahead of King Charles' visit for today's Maundy Thursday service.

Image source, Jonathan Cowap/BBC

If you were wanting to come down and grab a prime spot to see the King and Queen Consort, you may have missed your opportunity...

Already in front of me, I can see the crowds are at least three people deep.

Many roads in York city centre are closed today due to the visit of the King and Queen Consort for the traditional Maundy Thursday service.

Image source, BBC/Richard Sowersby

The royal couple will distribute Maundy money at York Minster in the first such service since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Streets near York Minster were closed from 20:00 BST on Wednesday and won’t reopen until 16:00 BST on Thursday, according to City of York Council.

Monk Bar Car Park will also be closed to the public to accommodate people attending the Maundy Thursday service.

College Street, Deangate, Duncombe Place, High Petergate, Minster Yard, Minster Gates, Precentor's Court, The Queens Walk Footpath and Stonegate have all been shut since Wednesday evening.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of today's service at York Minster where King Charles will distribute Maundy money to 148 people in a service dating back many centuries.

Image source, Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

During the traditional service, the King will distribute specially minted coins to people from in and around the city in recognition of their work in the church and community.

Along with Camilla, the Queen Consort, King Charles will also formally open the minster's new Refectory Restaurant as part of their visit.

The service, the first of the new King's reign, is due to start at 11:00 BST and last about an hour.

We’ll bring you all the latest from the service as it takes place.