King Charles stresses importance of kindness as he skips pre-Easter service amid cancer treatment

Yeomanry guards carry the bowls containing the red and white purses with the Maundy money inside in Worcester Cathedral, in Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, England, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens. Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white. (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III on Thursday stressed the importance of friendship and acts of caring in a recorded message delivered to a traditional pre-Easter church service, which the monarch skipped as he continues to undergo cancer treatment.

Queen Camilla represented her husband during the Royal Maundy Service at Worcester Cathedral, presenting bags of specially minted coins to people being honored for public service. The event is held every year on the Thursday before Easter, known as Maundy Thursday in Britain.

Britain’s Queen Camilla, left, and Interim Dean of Worcester Cathedral The Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, right, arrive for the Royal Maundy Service where The Queen will distribute the Maundy money to 75 men and 75 women, mirroring the age of the monarch, in Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, England, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens. Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white. (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

The personal message from Charles comes after the recent announcements that both the king and the Princess of Wales had been diagnosed with cancer. While the message made no direct reference to the royals’ health problems, it marked the king’s first public comment since his daughter-in-law revealed she was undergoing chemotherapy.

Britain’s Queen Camilla, left, and Interim Dean of Worcester Cathedral The Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, right, arrive for the Royal Maundy Service where The Queen will distribute the Maundy money to 75 men and 75 women, mirroring the age of the monarch, in Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, England, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens. Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white. (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

Charles said that Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other,” and how as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.’’

The service, which dates back to the year 600, commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of service and humility.

Sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times. Instead, Camilla presented purses filled with special coins, known as Maundy money, to 75 women and 75 men, a number dictated by the king’s age.

The service “reminds me of the pledge I made at the beginning of the Coronation Service — to follow Christ’s example ‘not to be served but to serve,’” Charles said in his message. “That I have always tried to do and continue to do, with my whole heart.”

Britain Royals

The king stepped back from public appearances in early February, when he announced that he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer. He has continued to carry out his state duties, including regular meetings with the prime minister and reviewing and signing government documents.

The Princess of Wales, wife of Prince William, announced last week that she, too, was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer. The news came after the princess, formerly Kate Middleton, underwent abdominal surgery in January.

Britain’s Queen Camilla is greeted by Bishop of Worcester Cathedral, The Right Reverend Dr John Inge, left, as she arrives for the Royal Maundy Service where she distributes the Maundy money to 75 men and 75 women, mirroring the age of the monarch, in Worcester Cathedral, Worcester, England, Thursday, March 28, 2024 to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens. Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white. (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

A view of the white purses containing a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins ahead of Britain’s Queen Camilla distributing the Maundy Money, in Worcester Cathedral, in Worcester, England, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. The monarch commemorates Maundy by offering ‘alms’ to senior citizens. Each recipient receives two purses, one red and one white. (Justin Tallis, Pool Photo via AP)

Britain’s Queen Camilla, right is greeted by the Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, as she arrives for the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral, in Worcester, England, Thursday March 28, 2024.( Jacob King/PA via AP)