Royal Maundy 2026

This year’s Royal Maundy Service took place at St Asaph Cathedral, North Wales. This marked the first time the Service had been held in Wales since 1982 and the second time in its history.

St Asaph Cathedral is the UK’s smallest ancient Cathedral. The current building dates from the fourteenth century and was instrumental in the preservation of the Welsh language. It displays an original copy of the William Morgan Bible, which dates from 1588. William Morgan went on to become Bishop of St Asaph in 1601. 

During the service, The King presented the Royal Maundy gifts to approximately 77 men and 77 women from Wales and other dioceses across the UK. 

The Maundy Money is given in recognition of recipients’ outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. 

His Majesty presented recipients with two purses containing the unique Maundy Money. In the white purse was a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies, to match The King’s age, and in the Red Purse was a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, and a 50p coin that celebrated the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. 

The service this year featured specially commissioned music by Welsh composers and musicians, celebrating the return of the Royal Maundy to Wales. 

At the conclusion of the service, Their Majesties met members of the cathedral community.