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The
Royal Maundy service, which dates back at least eight centuries,
was taking place in the magnificent setting of Gloucester Cathedral
for the very first time.
Brilliant
sunshine brought hundreds of people out to line the route from Shire
Hall to the Cathedral in the hope of a glimpse of the Queen and
the Duke of Edinburgh.
The
Queen was perfectly dressed for a spring day that was more like
high summer, in a cool lilac coat and dress with matching hat.
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Handing
out the Maundy gifts at Gloucester Cathedral
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The
crowds who gathered also saw the Yeomen of the Guard, the Queen's
ceremonial bodyguard, march down Westgate Street in their colourful
scarlet and gold uniforms, the first time they ever have paraded
in the city.
Excited
children on their school holidays waved flags and greeted the Queen
with posies as she stopped to chat en route to the solemn ceremony
where she presented Maundy gifts to 154 county pensioners - 77 women
and 77 women - for service to the Church and community.
The
centuries-old Maundy ceremony was last held in the county at Tewkesbury
Abbey in 1971, the 850th anniversary of the abbey's consecration.
What
is Maundy Thursday?
The
name Maundy originates from the Latin word 'mandatum' or commandment
- and commemorates Jesus Christ's commandment to his disciples at
the Last Supper, to love one another.
>>More
about Maundy Thursday
 The
Queen and the Royal Maundy
The
Royal Maundy is one of the oldest royal ceremonies of distributing
coins to subjects. The Queen has attended a Maundy service every
year since 1971, and on all but four occasions since she came to
the throne in 1952.
>>More
about the Royal Maundy
The
Maundy gifts
A total of 154 senior citizens from Gloucestershire (77 men
and 77 women - one of each sex for each year of the Queen's age)
will be handed gifts of specially-minted Maundy money by the Queen.
>>More
about the Maundy gifts
The
Maundy ceremony
The
Maundy can be traced back in England with certainty to the 12th
century, and there are continuous records of the Distribution having
been made on Maundy Thursday from the reign of King Edward I.
>>More
about the ceremony
 Gloucester
Cathedral
The history of one of Britain's greatest architectural glories,
the Harry Potter connection and the link with the American national
anthem. Take our photo tour of the jewel in Gloucester's
crown.
The
Official Royal Maundy Video/DVD is on sale to raise funds for Gloucester
Cathedral. Available on video (£17.50 including p&p) or DVD (£23
including p&p) Send order to: The Chapter Office, 2 College Green,
Gloucester GL1 2LR with your name and address, state whether you
want video or DVD and make cheque payable to The Chapter, Gloucester
Cathedral. For
more information email tony.higgs@gloucester2001.demon.co.uk
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you would like to comment about this or any other article then please
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