Message of hope & love...

THE King has hailed the importance of "faith, hope and love" in his personal Easter message.

- RUSSELL MYERS Royal Editor

As he attended the annual Royal Maundy service at Durham Cathedral with the Queen, Charles yesterday said the virtues of caring for one another are what the world "still needs".

The ceremony is a major fixture on the royal calendar with the monarch, who is the head of the Church of England, presenting specially minted coins to people recognised for their community service.

Charles, 76, who is still having weekly cancer treatment, was in good spirits as he joked "it was all mirrors" when one person said he looked well.

In his Easter message, the King said humanity is "capable of both great cruelty and great kindness".