Queen celebrates two anniversaries with York visit in April

Buckingham Palace confirmed today that the Queen will be in York Minster on April 5 to perform the annual traditional of handing out Maundy money to the city’s pensioners.

The Diocese of York is involved in nominating 86 men and 86 women - one each to mark the age of the Queen - who have been chosen to accept the honour due to the links to the cathedral.

Traditionally all the recipients are linked to the cathedral where the service is held, but this year nominees are being selected from across the country to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The visit will see a double celebration as the Queen celebrates her 60-year reign and York marks the 800th anniversary since it was granted a Royal charter.

The Dean of York, Keith Jones, said: “We at York Minster are thrilled that The Queen has decided to distribute the Royal Maundy at York Minster in Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year.

“The Queen has asked that representatives from all over the United Kingdom should be included in the Royal Maundy this year, alongside the recipients from the Diocese of York, and there will be a special air of thanksgiving for her long reign.

“There is so much excitement centred on London this year, that it’s great that York will once again be the place for this Royal and beautiful ceremony.

“The last time The Queen distributed the Royal Maundy in York was in 1972. This year Her Majesty’s visit also coincides with the 800th anniversary of the granting of the City of York’s charter, which adds to our delight.”

It is understood that the Queen will arrive through Micklegate Bar on York’s medieval walls, which is the traditional Royal entrance to the city, before heading through the city centre to the Minster.

She will then attend a service in the cathedral during which she will perform the annual Maundy money tradition.

The visit will tie in with the celebrations to mark the 800-year anniversary since York was granted its Royal Charter by King John.

Tourism leaders in York announced this week that they were launching a marketing drive to attract more visitors to mark the landmark anniversary and boost the city’s multi-million pound industry.

Since the 15th century, the number of Maundy coins handed out, and the number of people receiving the coins, has been related to the Sovereign’s age.

Maundy coins are struck in sterling silver and have remained in much the same form since 1670. The Royal Maundy Service used to take place in London, but the Queen decided early in her reign that the service should take place at a different venue every year.

Last year’s service was held in Westminster Abbey while in 2010 the tradition took place at Derby Cathedral. The Queen has distributed Maundy on all but four occasions since coming to the throne in 1952.