King Charles has shared an emotional Easter statement ahead of the Maundy Thursday service today (April 17).
The service will take place at 11am at Durham Cathedral. But there will be other events throughout the entire day.
Ahead of the ceremony on Thursday, King Charles has shared an important message about “faith, hope and love”.
What does the king do on Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is part of the Christian celebration of Easter. The day commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, which he did as an example of humility and service. In the past, monarchs would wash the feet of the poor, but over the years this changed into giving money and gifts.
Unlike other royal events, typically only the king and the queen attend the Maundy Thursday service. They have both been confirmed to be in attendance this year.
How much money does the king give on Maundy Thursday?
Today’s Maundy Thursday service will see the monarch distribute Maundy Money, consisting of two purses.
Typically there is a red purse with a small amount of ordinary coinage for clothes and provisions, and a white purse containing Maundy coins that represent the sovereign’s age (which this year is 76p). The recipients are usually selected for their service to their community and the church.
This year, the red purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin which features stories of World War Two.
Charles’ attendance comes after he had to miss the service last year due to his cancer treatment, which he was recently hospitalised because of again.
Ahead of the service, King Charles gave a message, where he admitted he doesn’t understand how the world can have “great cruelty and great kindness”. But the monarch went on to praise those who “risk their own lives to protect others”.
King Charles Easter message in full
King Charles wrote: “One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes. At one moment, terrible images of human suffering. In another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.
“A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace. And felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.”
He continued: “On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries. This is central to Christian belief.
Jasmine Harman was back to front last night’s A Place In The Sun, but she got more than she bargained for when she attempted to find a holiday home for house hunter Emma.
With Emma’s husband Andrew stuck in the UK, Emma was joined for some moral support by her pal Mandy.
They were looking for a home on the Greek island of Lefkada. However, with a budget of just £120k, it proved mission impossible for travel veteran Jasmine to find the right house for Emma.
Jasmine Harman struggles on A Place In The Sun
Emma shared that she wanted a swimming pool but didn’t mind installing one herself. She also didn’t mind a renovation and wasn’t desperate to be within walking distance of the beach – but walking to a taverna would be an advantage.
Posting on Instagram before the show, Jasmine said: “I show wedding dress designer Emma around some beautiful properties on the Greek island of Lefkada. With a budget of 120k will she say ‘I do’ to any of them?”
In the show, after Emma set out her list of requirements, Jasmine told her: “It’s a challenging budget and brief.”
She then showed the ladies the properties. One was a lovely apartment by the sea. And another one was a renovation with room to put in a pool, just like Emma requested.
However, Emma proved hard to please, with Jasmine “snapping” at one point that she was trying her best with the limited budget.
The verdict’s in…
After seeing the final property, Jasmine asked Emma for her verdict… But Jasmine probably wished she never asked!
“I think I’m there,” Emma said. “Are you going to share with me?” “No,” Emma replied.
“Why?!” Jasmine laughed. “No, not yet,” she added.
Later, Emma told Jasmine that none of the properties were right for her, and she’d be heading back to Blighty without a holiday home.
This – coupled with the fact that the properties Jasmine showed Emma appeared to fulfil the brief – led viewers to comment that Emma and Mandy were just after a freebie trip to Greece.
Viewers react
“Get them a taxi to airport immediately. Freeloaders,” one advised Jasmine.
“Chuck them in Jasmine. They’re rude and annoying,” said a second.
Glad Jasmine snapped back at her over her budget.
“I know what I want I’m just not telling you!!! WOW how rude,” said a third.
Another commented on Jasmine asking Emma for another £100k if she wanted a better property.
“Glad Jasmine snapped back at her over her budget,” they said.
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“I was really surprised she didn’t go for the last one on location and the property. Sounded like they go out most days and nights so I don’t think a sea view is that important,” said another.
Others focused on the beauty of the Greek island: “Love Lefkada. Going in summer to stay with a special Greek family at their gorgeous holiday apartments. Counting the days. Such lovely people there.”
Did A Place In The Sun star Emma find a holiday home?
At the end of the episode Jasmine revealed that Emma had returned to the island with her husband Andrew.
However, as no new properties had come on the market, they were still searching for their home away from home.
So what did you think of the episode? Tell us on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.
“The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need. A deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions. And in the hearts of all who seek the good of others.
“The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world – the whole world – that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another. And to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.”
Charles told everyone: “There are three virtues that the world still needs – faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.”
Read more: Inside the royal family’s Easter plans amid ‘testing’ times
What did you think of King Charles message for Easter ahead of Maundy Day service? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page. We want to hear your thoughts!