Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Queen presents 184 people with Maundy money
The Queen has marked Maundy Thursday by giving out commemorative coins to pensioners, as part of a traditional royal service at Windsor Castle.
Ninety-two women and 92 men were presented with the coins, some marking 100 years since women got the right to vote, in recognition of their service to the church and community.
The Duke of Edinburgh decided not to take part, Buckingham Palace said.
Maundy Thursday is a Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter.
The event, dating back to the 13th Century, was held at St George's Chapel - where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be married in May.
Duke absent
At the service, the Queen carried a nosegay made up of daffodils, primroses, stocks, purple statice, freesias, rosemary, thyme and ivy leaves.
The recipients, who were chosen by ministers and members of the clergy, received a red and a white purse.
The red one contained a £5 coin marking four generations of royalty, and a 50p piece commemorating the Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave some women the right to vote for the first time.
The white purse has silver penny pieces which add up to the value of 92p - the Queen's age.
Image copyright PA Image caption Unlike last year, the Queen was not joined by the Duke of Edinburgh
Image copyright PA Image caption The colourful nosegay she held was also carried by schoolchildren
Despite Prince Philip taking part last year and being listed in the order of service, he was not present at the ceremony.
A palace spokeswoman said: "The order of service was printed some weeks ago when it was hoped the duke would be able to take part. His Royal Highness has since decided not to attend."
Prince Philip, who is 96, retired from royal duties in May 2017 but remains the patron of hundreds of organisations.
Image copyright PA Image caption The Queen greeted recipients
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Before posing for photographs outside St George's Chapel
What is Maundy Thursday?
Royal Maundy is a religious service held on the day before Good Friday, which commemorates the night of the Last Supper as told in the Bible.
The origins of the ceremony, which is part of Easter celebrations, come from the commandment Christ gave after washing his disciples' feet.
Historically, it has involved handing out food and clothing and cleaning the poor.
The pope traditionally bathes and kisses the feet of 12 people who are normally members of the Church.
The royal family has taken part in Maundy ceremonies since the 13th Century.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The Queen presents 184 people with Maundy money
The Queen has marked Maundy Thursday by giving out commemorative coins to pensioners, as part of a traditional royal service at Windsor Castle.
Ninety-two women and 92 men were presented with the coins, some marking 100 years since women got the right to vote, in recognition of their service to the church and community.
The Duke of Edinburgh decided not to take part, Buckingham Palace said.
Maundy Thursday is a Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter.
The event, dating back to the 13th Century, was held at St George's Chapel - where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be married in May.
Duke absent
At the service, the Queen carried a nosegay made up of daffodils, primroses, stocks, purple statice, freesias, rosemary, thyme and ivy leaves.
The recipients, who were chosen by ministers and members of the clergy, received a red and a white purse.
The red one contained a £5 coin marking four generations of royalty, and a 50p piece commemorating the Representation of the People Act 1918, which gave some women the right to vote for the first time.
The white purse has silver penny pieces which add up to the value of 92p - the Queen's age.
Image copyright PA Image caption Unlike last year, the Queen was not joined by the Duke of Edinburgh
Image copyright PA Image caption The colourful nosegay she held was also carried by schoolchildren
Despite Prince Philip taking part last year and being listed in the order of service, he was not present at the ceremony.
A palace spokeswoman said: "The order of service was printed some weeks ago when it was hoped the duke would be able to take part. His Royal Highness has since decided not to attend."
Prince Philip, who is 96, retired from royal duties in May 2017 but remains the patron of hundreds of organisations.
Image copyright PA Image caption The Queen greeted recipients
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Before posing for photographs outside St George's Chapel
What is Maundy Thursday?
Royal Maundy is a religious service held on the day before Good Friday, which commemorates the night of the Last Supper as told in the Bible.
The origins of the ceremony, which is part of Easter celebrations, come from the commandment Christ gave after washing his disciples' feet.
Historically, it has involved handing out food and clothing and cleaning the poor.
The pope traditionally bathes and kisses the feet of 12 people who are normally members of the Church.
The royal family has taken part in Maundy ceremonies since the 13th Century.
EASTER is almost upon us – and millions of Christians around the world are gearing up to celebrate the annual festival.
Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, is one of numerous events during Lent. But what exactly is it?
Getty Images Maundy Thursday honours the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and is followed by Good Friday
What is Maundy Thursday and when is it?
Maundy Thursday is also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries.
It is a Christian holy day that falls on the day before Good Friday..
It honours the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles in Jerusalem before he was betrayed.
Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning command, used in the ceremony of the washing of the feet which forms part of some church services.
According to St John's gospel, before the Last Supper Jesus washed his followers' feet to show his humility.
He then said: “A new commandment I give unto you: that you love one another as I have loved you.”
This year Maundy Thursday falls on March 29.
Are there any traditions associated with Maundy Thursday?
Until 1689, there was a custom of the monarch washing worshippers’ feet in Westminster Abbey.
Food and clothing would also be handed out to the poor.
These days, the Queen attends a Royal Maundy service at one of Britain's cathedrals or royal chapels.
The sovereign hands out “Maundy money” to pensioners from local communities.
What is Maundy money?
Maundy money is made up of coins that have been specially minted for the occasion – they are legal tender and are highly collectable.
The image of The Queen on ordinary coinage has changed over the years, but Maundy coins still show the same portrait, by Mary Gillick, as the first coins issued in the year of her coronation in 1953.
In a tradition dating to the 15th century, as many elderly men and women as there are years in the Queen's age receive the Maundy money.
This year, it has been confirmed that the Queen, who turns 92 next month, will attend a Royal Maundy service at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
Some 92 men and 92 women will receive the Maundy money from Her Majesty.
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What are the other Easter dates?
Lent spans for 40 days, and there are numerous events celebrated in the Christian calendar during this holy period.
Here are all the Easter-related festivities:
Maundy Thursday will soon be celebrated in the UK and by Christians all around the world.
Queen Elizabeth II will take part in a special service at Leicester Cathedral to mark the occasion. The service itself dates all the way back to the medieval period and has undergone a number of changes over the centuries, though its core traditions have remained remarkably intact after all these years.
But just what exactly is Maundy Thursday? Here’s all you need to know about what it is, when it is, why it’s called Maundy Thursday, how it’s celebrated in the UK, what the origins of Maundy Thursday services are and how else it’s celebrated throughout the world.
Queen Elizabeth II will soon take part in Maundy Thursday services at Leicester Cathedral
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter and is observed by millions of Christians worldwide in commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples. Christians also believe that Jesus commanded his followers to love each other and washed their feet during the meal.
It always precedes Good Friday and marks the start of the three-day Easter celebration.
Maundy Thursday is also sometimes known as Holy Thursday, the Thursday of Mysteries, Covenant Thursday and Sheer Thursday.
When is Maundy Thursday 2018?
Maundy Thursday 2018 will be on Thursday, March 29.
Why is it called Maundy Thursday?
The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word ‘mandatum,’ which means command.
This refers to the command that Jesus gave his disciples to love each other during the Last Supper: ‘A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’ (John 13:34, Revised Standard Version).
How is Maundy Thursday celebrated in the UK?
Queen Elizabeth II will observe Maundy Thursday by taking part in the distribution of alms at Leicester Cathedral with the Duke of Edinburgh, a tradition that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.
The Royal Maundy will be distributed among 91 women and 91 men, a symbolic number that represents her 91 years of age.
All of the recipients will be senior citizens who will receive the Royal Maundy in honor of their service to the church and the local community.
Liechester A post shared by Alex Wells (@alexjwells) on Mar 25, 2018 at 2:30am PDT
What are the origins of Maundy Thursday services?
Maundy Thursday services date all the way back to the 13th century and used to involve the distribution of money to the poor and washing their feet.
The feet washing tradition, however, ended in the 18th century under King James II. Instead, the Queen now commemorates the holiday by distributing alms to senior citizens to thank them for their service to their church and their community.
Nowadays, the Queen will give both a white purse and a red purse to each recipient, with the white purse containing the Royal Maundy created for the occasion in the form of 91p in recognition of her age and the red purse holding a £5 coin in recognition of the centennial of the House of Windsor, and a 50p coin that honors Sir Isaac Newton.
The red purse contains £5.50 for historical purposes. £3 is for clothing while £1.50 is in lieu of provisions and £1 is for the redemption of the Queen’s gown.
How else in Maundy Thursday celebrated around the world?
In addition to the distribution of alms by Queen Elizabeth II at Leicester Cathedral, the holiday is marked in unique ways by Christians all around the world.
Feet washing is still a tradition held in many Christian denominations around the world, including by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Catholic Church and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Solemn Chrism Masses are also held on the day by many Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. The Eastern Orthodox Church also marks the day with Vespers prayers and the Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great.
In Sweden, the holiday, connected to ancient folklore about witches, often sees children dress up as witches and knock on doors for treats and Easter eggs. In Bulgaria, it marks the day when people traditionally color Easter eggs and begin to prepare for the Easter celebrations.
Maundy Thursday is also a public holiday in many countries which were historically parts of the Spanish and Danish Empires.
