Royal Maundy Service 2023
Published
The King and The Queen Consort attended the Royal Maundy Service at York Minster, where His Majesty distributed the Maundy Money
On arrival at York Minster, Their Majesties were met at the Great West Doors by the Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dominic Barrington and The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York.
After being presented with the traditional Nosegay, a small flower bouquet, The King and The Queen Consort processed up the Nave for the Service.
During the service, His Majesty presented 74 men and 74 women (signifying the age of the Monarch) with the Maundy Money to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.
Recipients are selected from Church of England dioceses across the country, and Anglican and Ecumenical partners across the UK.
The service dates back to 600AD and these special coins have kept much the same form since 1670. The first recorded Royal Distribution was at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire by King John in 1210.
The King presented each recipient with two purses: one red and one white. The white purse contains a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins equivalent in value to the age of the Monarch (this year is 74p).
In each pouch, there will be seven individual sets of coins, each amounting to 10p (made up of a 1p, 2p, 3p and 4p). There will then be an additional 4p to bring the total to seventy-four.
The Red Purse contains a £5 and a fifty pence commemorative coins. The year the £5 coin will celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming seventy-fifth birthday and the fifty pence coin will commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Windrush Generations.
Following the Service, Their Majesties took part in a formal photograph with the Royal Maundy party.
Related content
A message from The King to mark Easter
There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.
The King’s speech at the State Banquet at the Quirinale Palace, Italy
It is also moving to think that my great, great grandfather, King Edward VII, and my great-grandfather, King George V, both spoke at State Banquets in this very Palace over a...
The King delivers an address to the Italian Parliament
It has been one of the pleasures of my life to come to know this irresistible country, and from Turin to Palermo, Verona to Naples, Florence to Trieste, I have learned a...
The King's message to the regional media industry in the UK
Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share.
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a Reception to mark the launch of The Queen’s Reading Room Medal
Making life better is the ultimate aim of my Reading Room. We believe that books make for a happier, healthier and more connected society.
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a Reception to celebrate the 15th anniversary of WOW (Women of the World)
Without fail, wherever WOW gathers, I have met the most extraordinary and impressive women who have, quite simply, refused to take ‘no’ for an answer.
A speech delivered by The King during a visit to HMS Prince of Wales whilst at sea
I can only say that I take immense pride in you - the men and women who bring this vessel to life with such indomitable spirit - for your vital service on behalf of us all.
The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2025
The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today.
A message from His Majesty The King following the death of Dr Sam Nujoma, Founding President of Namibia
A speech by His Majesty The King to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz
As the number of Holocaust Survivors regrettably diminishes with the passage of time, the responsibility of remembrance rests far heavier on our shoulders, and on those of...
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a reception, hosted by the Anne Frank Trust, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Let’s unite in our commitment to take action, to speak up and to ensure that the words “Never Forget” are a guiding light that charts a path towards a better, brighter, and...
A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.
It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...
The King will attend commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland
A message of condolence from The King following the South Korean plane crash
My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life. As the people of the Republic of Korea...
