King Charles hands out Maundy money for first time as monarch

King Charles has handed out Maundy money for the first time as monarch during a service at York Minster.

The ancient ritual traditionally takes place on the Thursday before Easter Sunday every year. Last year Charles represented his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who withdrew from the service because of mobility problems.

It sees the monarch present elderly members of the Church of England with special ‘Maundy’ coins.

The King arrived at the cathedral with the Queen Consort to cheers from hundreds of people who had lined the streets of the city waiting for the royal arrival.

During the service, crowds waiting in the sunshine around the Minster swelled to thousands and, after the royal couple emerged, they spent 20 minutes in the sunshine talking to people in a lengthy walkabout.

With Camilla wearing a navy and white dress by Fiona Clare and a Philip Treacy hat, they were greeted at the Great West Doors by the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dominic Barrington, and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.

The royal couple were presented with the traditional nosegay, a small flower bouquet, as they entered the cathedral and sat as the service got under way.

The King then moved around the minster presenting 74 men and 74 women with the Maundy money as the congregation of about 1,500 looked on.

The pieces are especially minted and are usually given to worshippers over the age of 70 nominated by their local dioceses for their contributions to the community and the Church.

Each recipient received two purses from the King, one white and one red.

Inside the white purse, a collection of specially minted silver Maundy coins with the same value as the King’s age.

The coins are currently valued at £74, however, they are expected to soar in value over time. In the red purse, there are two commemorative coins, representing clothing and food.

The couple signed the visitors' book before they left and posed for photographs on the minster steps.

The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell presided over the service, which concluded with the national anthem and a blessing.

The Archbishop met the King and Queen Consort at the door and gave a blessing at the end of the service.

'I'm so humbled and honoured'

One of the recipients of the Maundy Money said she could not believe "little old me" had been selected to be at York Minster for the ceremony.

Joan Plant, 76, travelled from the village of Eyam in Derbyshire, for Thursday's service. Eyam is famous for its isolation during the 17th century plague outbreak.

Mrs Plant said: "I'm a champion of Eyam. I promised I would bring them all here with me in my heart."

Asked about how she found she had been nominated, Mrs Plant said: "I sat and cried for half an hour.

"I couldn't believe that little old me, from Eyam in Derbyshire, had been chosen to be here today. It's such a privilege. I'm so humbled and honoured. As I stood in church last week, I promised them I would bring them with me."

Mrs Plant's ninth great aunt is Margaret Blackwell, who famously survived the plague by drinking a jug of boiling fat.

Mildred Lynch, 80, from Liverpool, said: "I was shocked, I just felt terribly humbled, it's an honour."

Mrs Lynch was selected for her work at St Bridget and St Thomas Church in Wavertree and the fact she and her husband had fostered more than 150 children over 35 years.

She said the day was "wonderful, very moving".