MAKING ROYAL HISTORY THE QUEEN TAKES THE REIGNS IN A MAJESTIC CEREMONY AS THE KING SENDS A MOVING MESSAGE

With the King still scaling back his public duties as he undergoes cancer treatment, the Queen made history at the Royal Maundy Service.

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The ceremony – held the day before Good Friday and dating back to medieval times – traditionally sees the monarch hand out Maundy money to senior citizens in recognition of their service to the church and the local community.

This year, however, a royal consort performed the ancient ritual for the first time, with the Queen giving the coins – which are specially minted in various denominations – to 75 men and 75 women, with the number signifying the age of the monarch.