An appeal for solidarity and to help each other in times of need significantly serves as a common thread in the traditional message of this year’s Holy Thursday by King Charles III, albeit in the absence of direct reference to his or his family’s health problems. Princess of Wales, Kate after the cancer diagnosis recently revealed for both. Message representing a custom in Easter week by British monarchs, in their capacity as honorary heads of the Anglican Christian Church.
The text of the speech, which will be read in the evening during the celebration of today’s liturgy in memory of the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles in the historic medieval English cathedral of Worcester, was anticipated by Buckingham Palace; and contains particularly heartfelt thanks to all those who “reach out a helping hand” to others, “especially in times of need”. The message, recorded in mid-March, as reported by the BBC, also includes the reading of a passage from Holy Scripture. As well as a reminder to the Kingdom of the 75-year-old sovereign, who succeeded Queen Elizabeth’s mother on the throne a year and a half ago, “on the importance of taking care of each other”; and on the “great benefit” that “the spirit of service” and Christian help to others ensure also and above all to those who offer it.
King Charles III does not hide his “great sadness” for the forfeit he is forced to attend today’s solemn public rite of Holy Thursday: a centuries-old tradition for British sovereigns in their capacity as heads of the Anglican Church which this year he is not participating in person in the wake of doctors’ recommendations not to attend crowded events during the treatment he is undergoing following the cancer diagnosis announced at the beginning of February. He himself confesses it, with his speakerphone, in the message also broadcast on video – after previews of the text released by Buckingham Palace – to the faithful invited to today’s royal liturgy, celebrated in the historic medieval cathedral of Worcester, not far from Birmingham , in central England. Video focused on a heartfelt appeal to “serve, help and reach out” in the “time of need” and recorded in mid-March, in which the 75-year-old sovereign – dressed in blue and sitting at his desk – appears to be in overall good condition . Meanwhile, Queen Camilla has arrived in Worcester, 76 years old with remarkable ease, once again committed to representing her husband and the entire monarchy at an important appointment. While the absence from the scene of the heir to the throne William also continues, after the recent public revelation of the cancer which also affected his wife Kate, 42-year-old Princess of Wales, who has undergone heavy all-round preventive chemotherapy in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Camilla is entrusted with the ritual custom of the Maundy money (or Royal Maundy), the royal offering today symbolically given to the poor and needy during the Holy Thursday mass in memory of the Last Supper. While Charles, according to what was assured by the Palace a few days ago, is expected in person at least at Easter mass on Sunday morning, in St. George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle: a public, but essentially family event, to which he is evidently permitted to assist directly due to the limited number of people present.
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