King Charles III delivered his first public remarks since revealing his own cancer diagnosis and the news of Catherine, Princess of Wales' chemotherapy treatment. In an audio message played at the annual Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral in England on Thursday, the King emphasized the importance of acts of friendship and expressed his "great sadness" at not being able to attend the service in person.
The King's absence from the traditional Maundy Thursday service, which dates back to 600 A.D. and commemorates Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, comes as he steps back from public-facing duties while undergoing outpatient treatment for cancer. In his place, Queen Camilla distributed the customary Maundy gifts to 75 men and 75 women, a number chosen to match the King's age.
In his personal message, King Charles reflected on the origins of the Maundy Thursday service, stating, "It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet. And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other."
The British monarch highlighted the importance of extending the hand of friendship, particularly in times of need, and praised the 150 recipients of the Maundy money as "wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities."
King Charles' message, recorded in mid-March, did not directly address his or Kate's health challenges. However, he used the opportunity to reiterate his coronation pledge "not to be served but to serve" with his "whole heart."
The King is expected to make his most significant public appearance since his diagnosis on Easter Sunday, attending church alongside Queen Camilla at St. George's Chapel in Windsor. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children will not be in attendance this year, as Catherine continues her recovery from cancer.
The King's message comes amidst a challenging time for the royal family, with both he and the Princess of Wales facing health issues. Catherine's announcement that she was undergoing chemotherapy put an end to months of speculation about her well-being, while the King's decision to step back from public events has raised concerns about his own health.
Despite these challenges, King Charles' message emphasized the importance of service and caring for others, values that have been central to his reign thus far. His words serve as a reminder of the role the monarchy plays in providing comfort and support to the nation, even in the face of personal adversity.
As the royal family navigates this difficult period, the King's message of friendship and service resonates with many, highlighting the enduring importance of the monarchy in British society. The anti-monarchy group Republic, however, issued a statement ahead of the service, arguing that the monarchy is "bad for Britain's democracy" and that the Queen's visit to Worcester is a sign of "how out of touch the monarchy is with the values of most of us."
