Royal Maundy Service 2016

Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The word 'Maundy' comes from the command or 'mandatum' by Christ at the Last Supper, to love one another.

The Queen commemorated 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.

​During this year's Royal Maundy Service The Queen distributed Maundy money to 90 men and 90 women – one for each of The Queen's 90 years.

Each recipient received two purses, one red and one white. Recipients in 2016 were drawn, not from a single diocese as is normally the case, but from across the country.

​This year marked the first time the Royal Maundy Service has been held in St George's Chapel since 1959, and was only the second time it has been held in The Queen's reign, having also previously been held there in 1278 and 1423.