Queen Camilla Is Set To Break An Ancient Royal Tradition

Queen Camilla is set to part ways with an ancient royal tradition. Per the Daily Mail, she’s scheduled to attend the traditional Royal Maundy Service on behalf of King Charles on March 28, making her the first queen consort (wife of the monarch) in history to lead the event.

Charles’ decision to skip the service follows a Buckingham Palace statement that announced he will postpone all public-facing duties while receiving treatment for cancer.

Dating back to 600 AD, the Royal Maundy service takes place annually on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. At the service, the reigning British monarch distributes “special Maundy money” to local pensioners to commemorate Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper, as noted on the official royal website.

This year’s service will be held at Worcester Cathedral, the team of which recently shared a statement regarding Queen Camilla’s upcoming visit.

“We are SO excited to announce that we will be welcoming Her Majesty The Queen to the Cathedral on Maundy Thursday (28 March) as we host the Royal Maundy service,” the statement reads. “HM The Queen will be distributing the Royal Maundy gifts on behalf of His Majesty The King at this year’s Service.”

Last year Camilla attended the annual service alongside King Charles in York, England.

The traditional event was held in high regard by the late Queen Elizabeth II, who led the service almost every year of her seven-decade reign, according to Gert’s Royals. The Royal Maundy Service was Elizabeth’s first official engagement following her accession to the throne in 1952. Her final Royal Maundy appearance took place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in 2019. Due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, the service was canceled in 2020 and 2021.