King Charles meets the ambassadors of Burundi and Moldova at Buckingham Palace ... trends now
King Charles met the ambassadors of Burundi and Moldova at Buckingham Palace today as the Queen stood in for him at the annual Royal Maundy Service.
His Majesty, who has stepped back from public engagements as he continues cancer treatment, separately met with recently appointed Epimeni Bapfinda of Burundi and Ruslan Bolbocean of Moldova.
Earlier, the King recorded a personal message which was played to a congregation at Worcester Cathedral, where the Royal Maundy Service was held in his absence.
He reaffirmed his coronation pledge 'not to be served, but to serve' with 'my whole heart'.
The message did not directly refer to the King and the Princess of Wales' treatment for undisclosed types of cancer, but highlighted those who 'extend the hand of friendship' - likely to be interpreted as the nation's response to the monarchy's double health scare.
The major event in the royal calendar sees Maundy money - newly minted coins - distributed to community stalwarts by the head of state in recognition of their service, with the Queen deputising for the King in the ceremony, a first for a Queen Consort.
King Charles met the ambassadors of Burundi and Moldova at Buckingham Palace today as the Queen stood in for him at the annual Royal Maundy Service. Above: The King greets Burundi ambassador Epimeni Bapfinda
Queen Camilla attends the Royal Maundy service at Worcester Cathedral in the King's absence
Charles said in his address: 'The 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.
'It is my special prayer today that Our Lord's example of serving one another might continue to inspire us and to strengthen all our communities.'
The King has stepped back from large-scale public duties while receiving outpatient cancer treatment, and he spoke of his 'great sadness' at not being able to attend the service.
His message began with a Bible reading from the Gospel of John, which describes how Jesus washed the feet of his disciples - the root of the modern day Royal Maundy Service.
The Maundy Service, held on the Thursday before Easter Sunday, commemorates Jesus's Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday.
Today, sovereigns no longer wash the feet of the needy as they did in medieval times, but 75 women
