Dressed in cream, Queen Camilla made a special nod to Queen Elizabeth at Worcester Cathedral today as she wore flower brooches previously owned by Her late Majesty
Queen Camilla has opted for sentimental jewellery for the traditional pre-Easter service at Worcester Cathedral today.
The Queen Consort distributed the traditional Royal Maundy Money on behalf of King Charles this morning. It is believed to be the first time that a spouse of the Monarch has been tasked with handing out the gifts.
Camilla, 76, wore a cream cashmere coat, a fur-trimmed hat, and beige boots for the occasion, paired with two stunning brooches on her collar. While Camilla arrived at the cathedral without Charles, the King was not missing completely from the service, as a pre-recorded audio message was played to the congregation.
Charles stressed the importance of acts of friendship “especially in a time of need” in the wake of his and the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis and spoke of his sadness of not being able to be there.
According to reports, the beautiful gold and sapphire brooches worn by Camilla were once the late Queen Elizabeth’s. Royal experts at Majesty Magazine shared on X, formerly Twitter: “The Queen is wearing a leopard print chiffon dress and cream cashmere coat by Fiona Clare, and a Lock and Co hat. Her gold and sapphire flower brooches belonged to Her late Majesty.”
Sapphire is seen as a stone of wisdom, royalty and prophecy and is thought to symbolise power and strength. Camilla paired the brooches with an eye-catching pair of dangling earrings and appeared happy as she smiled and greeted members of the community. Inside the cathedral, Camilla presented 75 men and 75 women with two purses: one red and one white, containing Maundy Money.
Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. Royal Maundy is one of the most ancient ceremonies retained by the Church of England.
The late Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip, distributed Maundy Money at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, April 3, 1980, when 54 men and 54 women received Maundy money. This year’s Maundy services comes as Charles prepares to attend church on Easter Sunday with Camilla – his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis.
