King Charles has made a return to the Royal Maundy Service today at Durham Cathedral after missing last year due to his cancer diagnosis.

Earlier today, the monarch, who had published a special Easter message, arrived at the Cathedral in the northeast of England alongside Queen Camilla. They both appeared in high spirits for the occasion.

The 76-year-old King met attendees outside the Cathedral before entering alongside Camilla and other attendees.

Camilla, who is 77 years old, had filled in for Charles at the service last year during his cancer treatment. She looked elegant, wearing a bottle green dress matched with a striking velvet hat in the same shade.

After entering the Cathedral, Their Majesties were presented with a small flower bouquet by members of the Church before proceeding with the procession through the nave.

During the service, the King presented the Maundy recipients – 76 men and 76 women – with two purses, one red and one white, containing Maundy Money.

The white purse holds a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins, and the red purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin featuring stories of WWII.

The Royal Maundy gifts recognise recipients’ outstanding Christian service and their efforts in making a difference in the lives of people in their local communities.

Earlier today, King Charles reflected on the ‘paradox of human life’ in a special message released for Easter.

His Majesty, 76, spoke of the ‘puzzles of humanity’ and the human ability to inflict both ‘great cruelty’ and ‘great kindness’.

Charles reflected on humanity’s ‘paradoxes’ – shown both in the Easter story and also the scenes witnessed in ‘war torn countries’. 

He said: ‘One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness. 

‘This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes – at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others.’

Referencing a recent engagement, he added: ‘A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion.’ 

Wishing the nation a ‘blessed and peaceful Easter’, the King went on to reflect on the Easter story. 

He continued: ‘On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him. 

‘His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief. 

‘The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others. 

‘The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world — the whole world — that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death. 

‘There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter.’

The Royal Maundy service takes place every year on the Thursday before Easter Day and includes a special service in which the King expresses his gratitude for those who serve and volunteer in their communities. 

The service is an ancient royal ceremony inspired by The Bible on the day before Good Friday when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and commanded them to ‘Love one another’. By the thirteenth century the Royal Family was taking part in similar ceremonies. 

Last year, Queen Camilla assumed the role of her husband in delivering the annual speech in person. Meanwhile, Charles issued a special speech via video message.

The King delivered his first Maundy Service as monarch in 2023 at York Minster, but was too unwell to attend last year’s service in person, instead offering a video message.

The tradition of hosting the service outside of London came from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham said: ‘We are both honoured and delighted that The King and Queen are coming to Durham for this year’s Royal Maundy Service. 

‘All of us at Durham Cathedral look forward to welcoming them and being part of this special celebration of volunteering in the local community. 

‘Maundy Thursday is about remembering the service and sacrifice of Jesus and it will be so special to celebrate in such a memorable way those who live out the example of Jesus today.’

Last week, Charles and Camilla touched down in the UK once more after their action-packed state visit to Italy.

The King and Queen landed back in Scotland following the trip, which included them celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at a state banquet. 

On the visit, where the royals got to have a private audience with the Pope and enjoyed the best of the nation’s hospitality over four days, Charles made moving speeches in both the country’s Parliament and Palazzo del Quirinale, highlighting unity and ‘eternal friendship’.

After touching down on home soil, they will be able to spend a quiet Easter together. 

The monarch went ahead with the trip to Italy with Queen Camilla despite a brief hospital stay at the end of last month, which forced him to cancel a string of engagements at the last minute. 

He was briefly under observation, forcing him to cancel a scheduled trip to Birmingham – but he returned home to Clarence House on ‘good form’ that evening and was able to do some work. 

The short hospital stay was dubbed by royal sources a ‘minor bump in the road’ – and the King followed it with a near-normal, full working week at Windsor Castle, after a weekend of recovery at Highgrove – and taking a day and a half away from duties. 

The King has been undergoing weekly treatment at a cancer unit in London since his diagnosis last February – which has continued into the new year.