NOS News•today, 4:37 PM
British Queen Camilla has replaced her husband Charles for the first time at an official appearance. Camilla attended the traditional Royal Maundy Service, a Church of England Maundy Thursday service held since the 13th century.
Charles was unable to attend because he was being treated for cancer. He has not made any major public appearances since being diagnosed in early February.
Audio message
An audio message from Charles was played during the service in Worcester Cathedral. “It saddens me that I cannot be with you today,” it said. The king also read a passage from the Bible and repeated the promise he made during his coronation last year: “I am not there to be served, but to serve. With all my heart.”
Because the monarch is 75 years old, during the Maundy Service 75 men and 75 women received a specially minted silver coin as a thank you for their work in society. These were presented by Camilla.
Crown Princess Kate
Charles will be attending the Easter celebration at St George’s Chapel in Windsor next Sunday. The celebration will be more sober than usual, because Charles’ son William and his sick wife Kate are absent. The Crown Princess is being treated for cancer, she announced in a video message last Friday.
