King presents Maundy gifts as service is held in Wales for only the second time

The King has distributed Royal Maundy gifts at the annual service, as it was held in Wales for only the second time.

Charles, accompanied by the Queen, arrived at St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales on Thursday for the ceremony, which was last held in Wales in 1982.

The King presented Royal Maundy gifts to 77 men and 77 women as part of the tradition, which happens on the Thursday before Easter every year and recognises people who have showed outstanding Christian service and made a difference to the lives of people in their communities.

Recipients chosen from dioceses in Wales or close to the English border, were presented with two leather purses.

In a white purse was a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies, to match the King’s age, and in the red purse was a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, and a 50p coin that celebrates the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust.

Jean Carthy, 81, from Towyn, told the Press Association she had thought it was a scam when she received a letter telling her she had been nominated to receive the gift.

She said: “Even this morning I was wondering why I was there. It was just so, so special and especially because it was the first time it has been in North Wales.

“He gave me the purses and said ‘thank you for the work you do’ and that was really something.”

Colin Pengelly, 77, from Castle Caereinion, near Welshpool, said: “It has been an amazing, humbling experience.

“The King put the purses in my hand and said ‘thank you for all you have done over the years’. I said to him ‘thank you too, keep doing it’.”

Supporters with Union flags and Welsh flags lined the street outside the cathedral to greet the royal couple.

Further up the road, behind barriers separating them from the rest of the crowd, were a group of protesters with yellow flags from Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign group.

They held a banner which had photos of Charles, his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the Prince of Wales, and the slogan “What are you hiding? Royal Epstein inquiry now”.

Hours before Charles and Camilla’s arrival, graffiti saying “Not our King” was cleaned off a wall in the grounds of the building, which is the UK’s smallest ancient cathedral.

The first recorded Royal Maundy service was held in 1210 by King John.

It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, and the distribution of alms has become a tradition.

Speaking to recipients before the King ‘s arrival, Bishop of Norwich the Right Rev Graham Usher said: “It’s an act of humility on the part of the monarch in which a small representative group of people who have lived an exemplary life of service to their church and community is honoured. Enjoy this moment. It’s your moment.”

The bilingual service, in English and Welsh, included specially composed anthem A Sacred Benediction which was sung by soprano Rebecca Evans.

As they left the cathedral, Charles and Camilla were greeted by schoolchildren, many of whom had bunches of flowers to present to them, and then spoke to people on the High Street outside who had been waiting while the service took place.

Camilla wore a hat by Philip Treacy, a navy blue silk crepe pleated dress and navy blue wool crepe embroidered coat, both by Christian Dior, and accessorised with a sapphire and diamond brooch which belonged to the late Queen.