Queen Camilla distributed gifts as she deputised for King Charles at the annual Royal Maundy service on Thursday.
The ceremony, a major fixture on the UK royal family's calendar, normally sees the monarch present Maundy money – newly minted coins – to people recognised for their community service.
The queen was welcomed by the Bishop of Worcester, John Inge, as she arrived for the service at Worcester Cathedral.
The king has postponed all public-facing duties while he undergoes treatment for cancer, but is continuing with his behind-the-scenes work.
In a pre-recorded audio address broadcast to the congregation at Worcester Cathedral, he spoke about people who “extend the hand of friendship, especially in a time of need”.
“In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare,” the king said, in the message which was recorded along with a bible reading earlier this month.
“But over and above these organisations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need.”
He added: “It is for me a great sadness that I cannot be with you all today.
“This act of worship here in Worcester Cathedral 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.
“That I have always tried to do and continue to do with my whole heart.”
The king did not directly refer to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who revealed last Friday in a video that she is also receiving treatment for cancer.
But some royal watchers have interpreted his words as a reference to the support that he and the princess have received over their health issues.
The religious service marks the start of the Easter weekend and originated in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples the day before Good Friday.
Today sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy, as they did in medieval times.
Instead, 75 women and 75 men, signifying the king's age, were presented with two purses, one red and one white, filled with Maundy money. The tradition began in 1662, when Charles II gave out coins.
Both the king and queen are due to attend an Easter service at the chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday, which will be the monarch’s first major appearance since his February diagnosis.
They will be accompanied by members of the royal family at St George's Chapel.
The event is expected to be smaller than usual, with a reduced number of royals present in order to avoid the health risks associated with large crowds.
Prince William and the Princess of Wales are not expected to attend.
Officials have not disclosed what form of cancer the royals are suffering from, but they have confirmed the king's is not related to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition.
Queen Camilla through the years - in pictures
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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