Queen's Maundy money

Apr 13, 2006, 14:05 GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will mark Easter with a traditional ancient service.

The royal will distribute Maundy Money - special British coinage the monarch traditionally gives to deserving poor people - in a religious ceremony at Guildford Cathedral this week.

The queen - who has been attending the service in person for almost 30 years - and her husband Prince Phillip will give the Maundy honour to 160 pensioners at the service.

In accordance with the tradition, the royal will give two small purses containing the special coinage to 80 men and 80 women.

The first purse is white, and contains 80 pence in Maundy coins to reflect the queen's 80th birthday, which is on April 21.

The other purse is red and holds a newly minted £5 coin celebrating the monarch's milestone birthday, and a 50p coin marking the 150th birthday of the Victoria Cross.

The chosen pensioners - the oldest is 94 years of age - have all been recommended by the clergy because of their service to the church and their community.

Until the 18th Century the monarch would also wash the feet of the poor selected to receive the coins.

The tradition originated from the biblical Last Supper, when Jesus rose from the table to wash his disciples' feet.

Flowers or nosegays of herbs are still carried in the royal procession - a reminder of when monarchs held strong-smelling blooms to ward off infection and disguise bad odours.

Copyright 2006 BANG Media International