Tears as Queen takes part in service

The Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for the service, which was held in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle for the first time since 1959.

The service broke from tradition to mark the Queen’s upcoming 90th birthday.

Some 90 men and 90 women received Maundy Money - each coin representing one of the monarch’s years - and were selected from across the country, not the local diocese as is usual, to recognise their contribution to the church and community.

The Queen handed two purses - one white and one red - to each person during a procession of the Chapel, while the choir sang.

Recipients and their guests could be seen wiping away tears after spending a brief moment with the monarch.

The red purse contained a £5 coin commemorating the Queen’s 90th birthday and a 50p coin marking the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, while the white purse contained Maundy coins, equating in pence to her age.