King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend the Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, April 2, 2026, marking a historic occasion in the event’s 800-year history. This will be the first time the service is held in North Wales and only the second time in Wales overall.
During the service, the King will personally present the Royal Maundy gifts to around 77 men and 77 women. The recipients are primarily from Wales, but some come from dioceses across the United Kingdom. Maundy Thursday, observed on the Thursday before Easter, is a Christian tradition during which the monarch gives alms to elderly or deserving members of society.
Anti-Monarchy Protest Over Andrew Scandal
Ahead of the ceremony, Republic, an anti-monarchy group, announced a protest against King Charles, criticizing his handling of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ties to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The group shared on social media:
“Republic will be protesting the Royal Maundy service in St Asaph THIS THURSDAY. We’ll be asking Charles ‘What did you know?’ about the Andrew scandal. Join our demo, pledge to protest with us in Wales.”
In response to public backlash surrounding his brother, King Charles stripped Andrew of his royal titles and expelled him from Royal Lodge in 2025 due to his links with Epstein.
A Historic Royal Occasion
Despite the looming protest, the Royal Maundy Service remains a significant event for the monarchy. This year’s service is drawing attention not only for its historic location in North Wales but also for King Charles’ ongoing efforts to navigate public scrutiny and maintain the monarchy’s reputation.
The King and Queen’s visit is expected to attract local crowds and royal watchers from across the UK, highlighting the blend of tradition and modern challenges faced by the Royal Family today.
