King and Queen to attend service at St Asaph Cathedral

This will take place on Thursday, April 2, and is the first time the occasion has been held in North Wales, and the second time in Wales, in its 800-year history.

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

In addition, the service will see the use of the processional Cross of Wales, a gift from the king to the Christians of Wales.

The cross, which, headed the procession at Westminster Abbey for the king's coronation in 2023, contains a fragment of the True Cross, a gift to the king from the late Pope Francis, and believed to be part of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

The dean of St Asaph Cathedral, the Revd Nigel Williams, said: “We are deeply honoured to be hosting this Maundy Service.

"The cathedral staff, volunteers and congregation are working hard to ensure the occasion is a memorable experience for all the recipients and guests.

"We look forward to welcoming Their Majesties The King and Queen, to the city, for this truly special service.”

During the service, The king will present the Royal Maundy gifts to approximately 77 men and women each.

A total of 35 recipients have been selected from within the Diocese of St Asaph and by its ecumenical partners.

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

The Bishop of St Asaph, Revd Gregory Cameron, said: “The Royal Maundy honours Christ’s command that we should serve one another.

"This is lived out in the gifts that the king will give to the 154 people who have served their communities because of their Christian faith.

"It is a deeply meaningful occasion which we are pleased to welcome to St Asaph.”

The king will present recipients with two purses containing the unique Maundy Money.

In the white purse will be a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies, to match his age, and in the red purse will be a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, and a 50p coin that celebrates the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust. 

At the conclusion of the service, the king and queen will join the Royal Maundy Party for a photograph outside the cathedral’s west door, before meeting members of the cathedral community.