Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Unlike last year, the Queen was not joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for the service
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 The Queen handed out coins to 92 men and 92 women during the service
Image copyright PA Image caption And carried a colourful nosegay
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 AFP/Getty Images
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.
Prince Philip pulled out of the traditional Maundy Thursday church service because of a problem with his hip, it is understood.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 96, was named in the order of service and had hoped to join the Queen, 92, at the centuries-old event, which was this year held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
However Philip, who has officially retired from royal duties, ultimately decided not to take part, apparently because he has been experiencing some trouble with his hip.
It is not thought to be a serious issue as he was seen driving in Windsor Great Park yesterday.
The Queen undertook the tradition of giving red and white purses containing Maundy money to pensioners, chosen in recognition of their service to the community and the Church
She handed two purses - one white and one red - to 92 men and 92 women, marking her 92nd birthday, which she will celebrate next month
The Queen, pictured today, is usually accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh. However he pulled out of the engagement because of an apparent problem with his hip
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Maundy Sunday service last year
Buckingham Palace would not comment on the his health but a 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.'
The Queen appeared in good spirits as she undertook the tradition of giving the red and white purses containing Maundy money to pensioners.
She handed two purses to each of the 92 men and 92 women, marking her 92nd birthday next month.
The pensioners were chosen in recognition of their service to the community and the Church.
The Queen holds a nosegay outside the chapel following the Royal Maundy Thursday service
The Queen opted for a vibrant electric blue ensemble for the service on Thursday
The Queen on the steps of St George's Chapel, where Harry and Meghan will tie the knot
The Queen, centre, holds a a nosegay as she poses on the steps of St George's Chapel, Windsor
This year the service was held at St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will tie the knot on May 19.
Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter and commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
Every year the Queen marks Maundy by offering alms to senior citizens – retired pensioners recommended by clergy and ministers of all denominations – in recognition of service to the Church and to the local community.
This year the red purse contains a £5 coin, commemorating four generations of royalty, and a 50p coin commemorating the Representation of the People Act 1918, gave some women the right to vote. Both coins have been minted in 2018.
The Queen beamed as she posed for photos on the steps of St George's Chapel today
What is Maundy Thursday and why is it called that? 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 the 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. 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 observes Maundy Thursday by taking part in the distribution of alms. In 2018 this will take place at St George's Chapel, at Windsor Castle. The number of pensioners chosen rises with the monarch's age. In 2018 the Royal Maundy will be distributed about 92 women and 92 men, 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.
The White Purse contains uniquely minted Maundy money – one, two, three and four silver penny pieces – to the value of 92p, in keeping with the monarch's age.
The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples the day before Good Friday.
Historically, this sum of £5.50 in the red purse is made up of £3 for clothing, £1.50 in lieu of provisions and £1 for the redemption of the Sovereign’s gown which, before Tudor times, used to be divided between the recipients.
The Queen distributed the traditional Maundy money during the Royal Maundy service today
Each of the recipients was chosen in recognition of their service to the community and Church
The White Purse contains uniquely minted Maundy Money, which, unlike coins in general circulation, bear the portrait of the Queen produced by Mary Gillick at the start of her reign.
Gillick, a sculptor, designed the portrait which appeared on the coins of the UK and some Commonwealth countries from 1953 until preparations for decimalisation began in 1968.
The portrait of the Queen wearing a wreath on her head was considered to reflect the nation's optimism as it greeted a new monarch in the post-war years.
The history of the monarchs and the Maundy Thursday service
The first monarch to take part in a Maundy Thursday service was King John, of Magna Carta and Robin Hood fame, who distributed gifts of clothes and money to the poor in Knaresborough in 1210.
John was also the first to present the poor with silver coins and is recorded as having done so in Rochester in 1213.
John's grandson Edward I, the king known to posterity as 'the Hammer of the Scots', was the first to confine the tradition to Maundy Thursday alone, which, until his reign, could be conducted on any day of the year.
By 1363 and Edward III, the tradition had evolved into a ceremony that is still recognisable today, with monarchs handing out money equivalent to their age in years.
The ceremony was little changed by the dawn of the Tudor period, although rulers could - and did - increase the number of beggars involved to show their religious devotion and humility.
None took it more seriously than Mary I - or Bloody Mary - who in 1556 washed the feet of 41 'poor women' and spent the entire ceremony on her knees.
Later monarchs were less keen on the service, with some, among them Charles I, rarely bothering to take part.
Charles II, anxious to curry favour with his subjects following the Restoration, took part in the ceremony without fail, including during the plague years.
Although today's ceremony takes place in a different location each year, Queen Victoria insisted on doing it at Westminster Abbey - a custom that remained in place until the Queen took the throne in 1952.
The Queen was just eight years old when she first attended the Maundy Day service as Princess Elizabeth in 1935 at Westminster Abbey
She has taken part in the Royal Maundy Service in all but four years of her reign, including in 1954 when she was away touring the Commonwealth.
In 1960 she was also forced to pull out because of the imminent birth of Prince Andrew, again in 1964 for the birth of Prince Edward and in 1970 due to a tour of New Zealand.
