Queen breaks with centuries of tradition to send Maundy money by Royal Mail instead of handing it out personally to this year’s 188 recipients including the world’s oldest bell-ringer, aged 101
- Money is sent by the monarch to elderly each year the day before Good Friday
- The recipients are always over 70 and currently all in self-isolation
- The tradition stretches back as far as 1699 with coins handed out in person
The Queen has been forced to break with centuries of tradition by sending her Maundy money to the elderly by post amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Every year on the day before Good Friday, the Monarch presents elderly members of the Church of England with special ‘Maundy’ coins.
These specially minted pieces are almost always handed out to worshippers over 70, nominated by local dioceses for their contributions to the church and the community.
But today they have been delivered by Royal Mail instead of by the Queen herself, who is isolating at Windsor, to protect them all from the deadly virus.
The eldest of this year’s 188 recipients is Thomas Brock, from Sunbury-on-Thames, who holds the title of oldest active bellringer in the world.
The Queen has been forced to break with centuries of tradition by sending her Maundy money to the elderly (2019 ceremony pictured at Windsor) by post amid the coronavirus outbreak
A letter from the Queen sent to 188 recipients along with the Maundy Gift of a purse of specially-minted money which is more usually given in person at the Royal Maundy Service in St. George’s Chapel
He began ringing at his local church, St Mary’s at the age of just seven and has only ever missed services during the Second World War, when he was a prisoner of war.
Another centenarian getting their special coins today is Bill Allen, aged 100, from Chelmsford in Essex.
He was a dispatch rider with General Montgomery during the Second World War and is still an ambassador for the Royal British Legion.
The eldest of this year’s 188 recipients is Thomas Brock (pictured), from Sunbury-on-Thames, who holds the title of oldest active bellringer in the world at the age of 101
Jim Byers (pictured) was among the 188 recipients of the Maundy Gift of a purse of specially-minted money
Queen Elizabeth II with Princess Eugenie leaving St George’s Chapel in Windsor after the annual Royal Maundy Service last year
Jane Armstrong, 76, from Durham, was recommended by her local diocese for her work with crisis support groups and foodbanks in the area.
The Queen said she was ‘deeply disappointed’ at not being able to meet the 188 in person.
The monarch has written to those she would have presented with symbolic money during the annual Royal Maundy service.
The Queen said in her letter that ‘unfortunately’ she was unable to distribute the money this year during the service which was due to be held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle today.
Reverend Hilary Murphy (left) and Jane Armstrong also received the letter from the Queen
Pictured: Bill Allen, 100, who was among the recipients of the Maundy Gift of specially-minted money
The Queen said she was ‘deeply disappointed’ at not being able to meet the 188 in person (Pictured: two recipients)
She added: ‘This ancient Christian ceremony, which reflects Jesus’s instruction to his disciples to love one another, is a call to the service of others, something that has been at the centre of my life. I believe it is a call to service for all of us.
‘It is one of my most rewarding duties as Sovereign to observe this highly significant ceremony at such an important point in the Christian calendar.
‘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.’
The tradition stretches back to the 1600s and has been observed every year, even in times of war.
During the Second World War, either the Queen’s father King George VI or the Archbishop of Canterbury did the honours.
Today’s service was due to take place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, but has been cancelled