King Charles shares emotional Easter message ahead of Maundy Thursday service
The Maundy Thursday service takes place todayKing Charles has shared an emotional Easter statement ahead of the Maundy Thursday service today (April 17).
The service will take place at 11am at Durham Cathedral. But there will be other events throughout the entire day.
Ahead of the ceremony on Thursday, King Charles has shared an important message about “faith, hope and love”.
What does the king do on Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is part of the Christian celebration of Easter. The day commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, which he did as an example of humility and service. In the past, monarchs would wash the feet of the poor, but over the years this changed into giving money and gifts.
Unlike other royal events, typically only the king and the queen attend the Maundy Thursday service. They have both been confirmed to be in attendance this year.
How much money does the king give on Maundy Thursday?
Today’s Maundy Thursday service will see the monarch distribute Maundy Money, consisting of two purses.
Typically there is a red purse with a small amount of ordinary coinage for clothes and provisions, and a white purse containing Maundy coins that represent the sovereign’s age (which this year is 76p). The recipients are usually selected for their service to their community and the church.
This year, the red purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin which features stories of World War Two.
Charles’ attendance comes after he had to miss the service last year due to his cancer treatment, which he was recently hospitalised because of again.
Ahead of the service, King Charles gave a message, where he admitted he doesn’t understand how the world can have “great cruelty and great kindness”. But the monarch went on to praise those who “risk their own lives to protect others”.
King Charles Easter message in full
King Charles wrote: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes. At one moment, terrible images of human suffering. In another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.
“A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace. And felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.”
He continued: “On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries. This is central to Christian belief.
What is Maundy Thursday and how do the royals mark the occasion?
The king and queen usually attend a royal service to mark the day.
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is part of the Christian celebration of Easter. The day commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, which he did as an example of humility and service.
In the past, monarchs would wash the feet of the poor, but over the years this changed into giving money and gifts.
How do the royals celebrate the day?
King Charles and Queen Camilla typically attend a royal service to mark Maundy Thursday. In 2025, they attended a service at Durham Cathedral.
Typically there is red purse with a small amount of ordinary coinage for clothes and provisions, and a white purse containing Maundy coins that represent the sovereign’s age (which this year is 76p). The recipients usually become selected for their service to their community and the church.
This year, the red purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin which features stories of World War Two.
How the royal family spend Easter
Maundy Thursday is just one event marked in the royal calendar over Easter.
On Easter Sunday, members of the royal family step out for a church service. The Prince and Princess of Wales usually join the king and queen.
Meanwhile, other senior royals including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attend.
Prince William and Kate's three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - joined them for the service in 2023. So fans probably hope the royal youngsters will attend the 2025 service.
“The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need. A deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions. And in the hearts of all who seek the good of others.
“The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world – the whole world – that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another. And to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.”
Charles told everyone: “There are three virtues that the world still needs – faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.”
Read more: Inside the royal family’s Easter plans amid ‘testing’ times
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