Queen sends out 'Maundy money' by post in break with tradition amid coronavirus lockdown

The monarch, pictured during her address to the nation, has traditionally handed out gifts of coins by hand following the Maundy Thursday church service
BUCKINGHAM PALACE/AFP via Getty
Robert Jobson9 April 2020

The Queen broke with tradition today by sending out “Maundy money” by post.

The monarch has traditionally handed out gifts of coins by hand following the Maundy Thursday church service, which was to have been held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle today.

But the coroanvirus lockdown meant the service did not go ahead, so the Queen instead marked the occasion by sending 188 individuals the gift and a letter by post.

The recipients are pensioners – a man and a woman for each year of the Sovereign’s life, chosen for their service to their churches and communities.

The Queen at the annual service in 2019
AP

The Queen’s letter read: “I know that you, as a recipient of this year’s Maundy Gift, will be as deeply disappointed as I am that it is not going ahead, while understanding the necessary decision in the current circumstances.

“However, this should not mean your invaluable contribution within the community goes unnoticed, and I am sending this Maundy Gift to thank you for your Christian service.

“My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time.”

Among the recipients were Thomas Brock, 101, from Sunbury-on-Thames, who is the oldest active bell-ringer in the world, having rung the bells at his local church since the age of seven.

Each was to have received a white purse containing specially minted Maundy coins up to the value of the Sovereign’s age, and a red purse containing about £5 in ordinary coins, to symbolise the Queen’s gift for food and clothing.

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