King Charles is going ahead with some of his usual appointments and duties. Recently, he made a virtual appearance for Maundy Thursday, the fifth day of Holy Week, preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. However, King Charles appeared gaunt and weary
Charles was diagnosed with a form of cancer, Buckingham Palace revealed recently. It is not prostate cancer but was found during a treatment he underwent around the same time Kate Middleton was suffering from abdominal pain that would also lead to a cancer diagnosis. In his pre-recorded message, King Charles emphasized friendship and togetherness in light of these grievous times.
King Charles looks wane and gaunt in his holiday virtual appearance for Maundy Thursday
King Charles’ recording began with a reading of The First Lesson from the Gospel of Saint John. From there, Charles admitted he felt “great sadness” that he could not partake in the congregation in person, especially because that particular service “has a very special place in my heart.”
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“It has its origin in the life of Our Lord who knelt before his disciples and, to their great surprise, washed their travel-weary feet,” explained Charles, “And, as we have just heard, in doing so he deliberately gave to them and to us all an example of how we should serve and care for each other.”
King Charles discussed the value of friendship and the importance of extending a helping hand
King Charles went on, “In this country we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organizations 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.”
In the past, reports CNN, the monarch would wash the feet of those in need, but in lieu of that this year Queen Camilla will hand out special coins to 75 men and 75 women – a nod to Charles’ age. The Maundy money will go out to those who are “wonderful examples of such kindness; of going way beyond the call of duty and of giving so much of their lives to the service of others in their communities.”
Reportedly, King Charles has been considering Kate Middleton among those esteemed ranks. The two have allegedly bonded over their respective cancer diagnoses; it is the first time in the British royal family’s history that two senior members were diagnosed with cancer at the same time. Speaking of the relationship between King Charles and his daughter-in-law, royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told PEOPLE, “He has always had a very good bond with her. I don’t think it is presumptuous to say that she is like the daughter he never had.”
Smith added, “He shares with William an impulse to protect her. They are in this together, Kate and the King.”