Queen Camilla makes history as she assumes a larger role in the monarchy while King Charles undergoes recovery from his recent cancer diagnosis.
On Thursday, Camilla became the first consort to fulfill the monarch’s duties at the annual Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral. This service, an annual tradition for the British royal family, commemorates Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper. During the service, the monarch distributes special Maundy money to local pensioners
Charles would have performed the duty, but he announced in a pre-recorded address played at the service that it was with ‘great sadness’ that he would not be able to attend due to his ongoing treatment. The royal family has all but vanished from the public eye as they navigate Charles and the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses. Charles will be attending the Easter Sunday church service in Windsor this weekend.
In February 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth shared that the former Duchess of Cornwall would receive the title Queen Consort once Charles became king. “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me,” Elizabeth wrote (via the New York Post), “and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues own loyal service.”
“Just that I’m hoping Kate’s getting on well and I’m sorry to hear about her illness and hoping Kate gets peace now to recover—that’s really what I wanted to say,” Sheila, a retired teacher, said to Hello! “I just wanted to come and see the Queen, I’ve followed her for many, many years, and just to let her know that I’m thinking of her. I wrote to her some weeks ago and I got a lovely card back from her and something from the King as well.”
While 200 people gathered outside the cathedral to greet the Queen, sending her their well wishes for the King and to Kate Middleton. During the ceremony, officials gave two purses filled with Maundy money to 75 women and 75 men, signifying the King’s age.
“This is just a fantastic day—a once-in-a-lifetime (experience). I said to the Queen I hope the King gets well soon and your daughter-in-law as well and she said ‘thank you very much,’” Norman Tomlinson, 72, said after receiving his unique coins for his work with local hospice and the Catholic church.
In his pre-recorded message, the King talked about how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other,” and that as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.” While undergoing treatment, Charles has largely stepped out of the public eye. The King issued a statement last Friday after Middleton went public with her cancer diagnosis, saying that he is “so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.”
