As previously announced, Her Majesty The Queen will attend the Royal Maundy Service at St George’s Chapel on Thursday 29th March. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter.
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Upon her arrival at the north door of St George’s Chapel, Her Majesty The Queen will be met by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner KCVO and the Lord High Almoner, the Right Reverend Dr John Inge. Her Majesty will be presented with a nosegay at the start of the service, during which The Queen will distribute the Maundy Money.
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. The Monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens – retired pensioners recommended by clergy and ministers of all denominations in recognition of their service to the Church and to their local community.
Her Majesty The Queen will distribute Maundy Money to 92 men and women – one for each year of Her Majesty’s life. Each recipient will receive one red and one white purse. This year the red purse contains a £5 coin, commemorating four generations of royalty and a 50p coin commemorating the Representation of the People Act 1918 which reformed the electoral system in Great Britain and Ireland. Both coins have been minted in 2018.
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Historically the sum of £5.50 in the Red Purse is made up for £3 for clothing, £1.50 in lieu of provisions and £1 for the redemption of the Sovereign’s gown which, before Tudor times, used to be divided between the recipients.
The White Purse will contain uniquely minted Maundy Money taking the form of one, two, three or four silver penny pieces, the sum of which equals the number of years of the Monarch’s age.
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Following the service, Her Majesty The Queen will proceed to the foot of the West Steps where an official photograph will be taken of The Queen and the Maundy Party.
The Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard will be on duty throughout the service in their full uniform.