Royal enthusiasts have 'a day they'll never forget' as King visits for Maundy service

THE King thanked a well-wisher who told him he looked in good health, joking: "You are very kind, it's all mirrors."

- BY OWEN YOUNGER AND TOM WILKINSON

Charles was joined by the Queen for the traditional Maundy service in front of a delighted crowd at Durham Cathedral.

He gave Maundy money to 76 men and 76 women one for every year of his age in thanks for their Christian service to their communities.

After the service in the 932-year-old cathedral, the royal couple walked into the spring sunshine and met some of the crowds of people gathered outside to cheer them.

Charles met Pat Johnson, 54, from Jarrow, 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."

The King was unable to attend last year's Maundy service in Worcester as he was undergoing treatment for cancer and Camilla stood in for him.

The Maundy service was held in Durham for the first time since 1967.

The 152 recipients were selected from dioceses in northern England and Scotland.