King Charles III has praised people who “extend the hand of friendship, especially in a time of need” in a recorded message delivered to a pre-Easter church service, which the monarch missed as he continues to undergo cancer treatment.
Queen Camilla represented her husband during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral, presenting bags of specially minted coins to people being honoured for public service.
The event is held every year on the Thursday before Easter, known as Maundy Thursday in Britain.
The personal message from Charles comes after the recent announcements that both the king and the Princess of Wales had been diagnosed with cancer.
While the message made no direct reference to the royals’ health problems, it marked the king’s first public comment since his daughter-in-law revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy.
“In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare,” Charles said in the audio recorded along with a bible reading earlier this month.
“But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”
The service, which dates back to the year 600, commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of service and humility.
Sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times.
Instead, Camilla presented purses filled with special coins, known as Maundy money, to 75 women and 75 men — a number dictated by the king’s age.
“It is for me a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today,” Charles said.
“This act of worship here in Worcester Cathedral reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the coronation service, to follow Christ’s example, not to be served, but to serve.
“That I have always tried to do and continue to do with my whole heart.”
The king stepped back from public appearances in early February, when he announced he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
He has continued to carry out his state duties, including regular meetings with the prime minister and reviewing and signing government documents.
The Princess of Wales, wife of Prince William, announced last week that she, too, was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer.
The news came after the princess, formerly Kate Middleton, underwent abdominal surgery in January.
While Charles missed Thursday’s event, he is due to join other members of his family on Sunday at a scaled-down Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle.
It will be his first public appearance at a royal event since his cancer diagnosis.
Reuters/AP