On Thursday, King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Durham for the annual Royal Maundy service. Maundy Thursday is a much bigger deal in the UK, I think? I grew up around Evangelicals and I’m not sure non-Catholics in America pay much attention to Maundy Thursday, a recognition of The Last Supper. Anyway, when Queen Elizabeth was around, she loved a Royal Maundy service and she would get decked out in one of her brightest coats and biggest Mad Hatter hats and enjoy a church service.
Charles tries to keep his mother’s traditions up, but Camilla rocked up to Durham Cathedral looking like Elphaba. Are “Easter colors” not a thing in the UK? Do you guys not wear pastels and light florals around the Easter holiday? Camilla’s little black cape added to her Wicked Witch of Windsor vibe. That hunter green would have been much better at Christmas.
Charles missed the Maundy service last year because of his cancer, so Camilla did the Maundy service in his place and she was the one to pass out “Maundy money.” This year, Charles reclaimed the tradition of the monarch, handing out white and red purses full of Maundy coins. You can read more about the centuries-long tradition of Maundy money here.
Two more interesting sidenotes about this outing. One, there was a loud, disruptive “Not My King” protest outside the cathedral, and those Republic people had bullhorns. I haven’t seen much coverage of the protest, but the Independent did post a video of C&C’s arrival where you get a glimpse of the yellow signs and you can hear the “Not My King” chants very clearly. There was a smattering of boos as well. Two, Charles and Camilla were photographed getting on their royal helicopter and getting the f–k out of Durham as soon as the service was over. That rarely happens – the British media and photographers mostly adhere to a “gentleman’s agreement” to not take or publish photos of the Windsors using helicopters like taxis.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen arriving as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen attend the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989192181, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
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- DURHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Queen Camilla and King Charles III laugh during the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on April 17, 2025 in Durham, England. 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 held specially minted silver Maundy coins. This year, the red purse contained a ÂŁ5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin featuring WWII stories. The Royal Maundy gifts recognised the recipients’ exceptional Christian service and their contributions to their local communities.,Image: 989240556, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Anthony Devlin/Avalon
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- His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen WALK towards the Royal Helicopter after attending the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989264512, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
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- His Majesty The King walks towards the Royal Helicopter after attending the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989264631, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
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- DURHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: King Charles III viewing a display of the Cathedral’s Magna Cartas after the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on April 17, 2025 in Durham, England. 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 held specially minted silver Maundy coins. This year, the red purse contained a ÂŁ5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin featuring WWII stories. The Royal Maundy gifts recognised the recipients’ exceptional Christian service and their contributions to their local communities.,Image: 989309008, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Anthony Devlin/Avalon
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- DURHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Queen Camilla and King Charles III viewing a display of the Cathedral’s Magna Cartas after the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral on April 17, 2025 in Durham, England. 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 held specially minted silver Maundy coins. This year, the red purse contained a ÂŁ5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother and a 50p coin featuring WWII stories. The Royal Maundy gifts recognised the recipients’ exceptional Christian service and their contributions to their local communities.,Image: 989309808, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Anthony Devlin/Avalon
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- His Majesty The King is pictured arriving as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen attend the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989343429, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
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- His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen pose for a photograph with the Maundy Party His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen attend the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989343868, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
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- Her Majesty The Queen is pictured arriving as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen attend the Royal Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, Durham, United Kingdom, 17th April 2025,Image: 989345869, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: EDITORIAL USE ONLY;, Model Release: no, Credit line: Alex Roebuck/News Images/Avalon
Camilla wishes she looked like Elphaba…
She’s wearing dark dark green that photographs as velvet from a distance. To an Easter service at the end of April.
I knew that was a fashion miss when I was 10. How are they so bad at this? Did she not want to draw comparisons to the Queen? Wear something bright or light but because it would “over shadow” Charles? She should just invest in a decent Ghili suit and fade into the background.
There really was no need to insult Elphaba who is not a lying, cheating evil step-mother.
Charles looks unwell.
My first thought as well. Is it my imagination or does it seem he’s shrinking in stature. This happened to my FIL in the late stages of his battle with cancer. His height was noticeably shortened.
(The body starts throwing off calcium—it’s awfully painful.)
Camilla’s outfit looks almost like pre mourning. Challenging times ahead.
Good he should be feeling horrible for what he has done to his youngest son..
They both look unwell, and aged. What’s the saying? “When the gods want to punish you, they answer your prayers.” Chucky Boy is King, Side Pieceis Queen, but neither one appears to be getting much joy out of their crowns.
Camilla s outfit so dowdy. Overkill with the jacket and veiled hat. Charles in the edwardian outfit. Charles must have been fuming over b o o s and protest signs. Good.
That half cape jacket has been an eyesore from the beginning and she rewears the hideous thing far to often.
Not to defend Camilla’s tragic getup, which is ugly in so many ways, but aren’t pastels for after the resurrection, not for right before the crucifixion?
Camilla need a better tailor. The skirt seems to balloon out and the jacket seems ill fitting the hat is tragic. She needs maybe a gray or dark blue. But the tailoring is so bad. She looks like those elderly royals from the beginning of the 20th century
I married into a Catholic family, and that was my thought re Cam’s outfit; the pastel Easter colors come out after the Resurrection. All the services prior to Easter Sunday are rather solemn and sober up til then.
A rich purple, really any shade, would’ve been good. That’s the color of Lent. Or red for Holy Week. Green is actually the color of Ordinary Time.
Not in the last 150 years. Which actually might explain a thing or two.
While vibrant pastels are basically an Easter Sunday requirement, the only day of darker colors would be Good Friday between 12-3.
Maybe she should have gone with a Merlot color and cosplayed the wine at the last supper?
… Or what she drank at breakfast!
Yes. Holy Week is a liturgically dark week. The pastels come Easter Sunday.
She’s still a mess, though.
Dear ‘Me at home’ ~ I can’t speak to Maundy Thursday but today, Good Friday, I’m all in black.
I’ll be wearing a lovely spring dress on Easter Sunday.
Camilla’s outfit IS tragic; she would have been better off wearing all black. But didn’t the Queen wear bright colours on Maundy Thursdays?
That’s the thing. Maudy Thursday – while centered on a grim Christian event – was meant to bring joy and hope and “financial relief” to the people of the country.
Also. QEII was basically their pope for something like 70 years. If she felt pastels were right and appropriate for this event, who is to tell her otherwise? She’s the head of the church. Her precedence stands.
As the head of the COE, the monarch basically steps in and recommit their service to the nation. Not with feet washing – unless I missed that – but with the bright promise that they will act as leader and savior and protector and advocate for the people in the manner of Christ. It’s a recommitment to service of the people.
It’s supposed to be happy and bright. Because the monarch – under god only – is recommitting to their people’s needs. Regardless that it’s before the last supper.
The CoE does things differently in many regards directly due to the break from the Catholic Church. So the color schemes etc don’t apply.
But green is not it.
Last year when Camilla was on her own at the service, she wore a white coat over a leopard-print dress.
I also checked to see what QE wore on Maundy Thursday. There are photos of her in yellow, pink, light blue etc.
I think you’re correct. Maundy Thursday is a day of mourning.
Ah yes the wicked side piece lol.
Just so we are clear, this is the type of thing William will never do as King.
He’ll Zoom it in.
No, he won’t. Zoom requires him to be in a specific location at a designated time; that’s too much commitment from him.
I know! That was my thought while reading this & watching the videos. William’s going to do none of this.
Charles once again walks ahead of Camilla this time through a field. She seems to be walking very carefully so she does not fall. He could at least have walked next to her.
Walking on grass in heels–even chunky heels–is difficult for older folks with mobility issues. And I suspect she has such issues & is hiding it, in true BRF ableist fashion.
Rocked up like Elphaba😂. Except she’s fr evil. Hope they keep getting those helicopter pics.
Very interesting point that the royals are now being photographed using their “Ubercopters.” It does make me wonder if the “Invisible Contract” is approaching it’s end date. In the past few days we’ve had several unfavourable articles about the BRF.
I’m beginning to wonder if the media are finally realising they’re getting very little for their sychophantic articles bigging up the BRF and the relentless smear campaign against the spare. Next week Harry and Meghan will be making high profile appearances while here in the UK all RR will be able to report is how much William hates his brother and he will take away his as soon as he’s king. They may get a couple of photo ops which will last 1 hour tops and that will be it.
Next year is the court case against the Mail and the whole world and his wife knows that Harry will attend. For all the puff pieces about Kate and Camilla, and all the gushing articles about how hardworking KCIII and his heir are. It’s becoming clear that the “Drab Four” have not fullfilled their end of the bargain in that they’ve not kept Harry out of Court or made enough high profile appearances. I believe the articles over the past few days are warning shots and if the royals don’t start paying back what they owe there will be an increase in more articles like these, with each becoming more poisonous than the last.
I hope the royals ignore those warning shots, as I really want to see the escalation.
Yep, they need to keep on keepin on when it comes to reading-the-room fail.
Why is Camilla trolling Spring??
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ok that’s perfection
This is comment GOLD!
The royal journalists who covered this engagement didn’t talk about the protestors.
Disgraceful. That makes them stenographers, not journalists.
Oh dear lord they both look like the walking dead , absolutely gross ,
I actually think — for once — that the Mistress Queen looks pretty good. The outfit is somber, certainly, not good colors for spring, but the fit is good and her chest is well above her knees.
The shine on the bodice adds interest, and the hat is gorgeous — if it weren’t sitting over her ridiculous polyfill hair and leathery smirk, it would be a showstopper.
Interesting that they used to walk together and he’d be all lovey-dovey. Now she trails him around like one of his Mum’s corgis hoping for a treat. I wonder if he’d even look back if she caught her heel and fell over.
Also, Charles needs a better shade of foundation and some nice pink powder blusher if he wants to look alive.
It’s really too early for me to be indulging in this much schadenfreude…
Though it’s really nice to see the yellow protest signs popping up like cheery spring primroses. Maybe it’s a sign of a change of season!
@IdlesAtCranky, you are making me spit my tea, spot on and hilarious comments!
Gwendolyn, I’m so sorry, didn’t mean to induce a spit-take! 😎
I hope you’re wearing a dark color, like the Mistress Queen. Of course in her case the black cape matches her soul, and I doubt I could make her laugh, unless maybe I tripped Kate right in front of her.
Idles, this gets my vote for comment of the year. ;-D …but on a more earnest note, I do find the longitudinal perspective imposed by the monarchy on UK society is a thing of fascination, if only because it tends to dovetail with the moral arc of the universe. As an American here, I can really dig the way that they allow things to ripen, age, come to fruition, they give time some time to do its work, and the results ultimately speak for themselves. The US perspective — if you can call it that — tends to be truncated, like an ADHD victim trying to process the world in bursts of nanoseconds or news cycles. For better or worse, these people are at it for decades at a stretch. That is why the Queen’s reign was so epic. The moral stamina to keep the family together is just lacking in Charles and never was manifest in Camilla. I mean. Both of them chose their weird brand of codependent moaning about their respective spouses and families over said families. It’s just ick. The hard sell of Camilla as a compassionate older woman who stayed the course was blown up by Harry in Spare and the interviews around it that he gave and I think that is why Charles really can’t bring himself to face his second son. I mean. He put himself into selling this shopworn and sanctimonious story and if he had to admit he was wrong it would explode the entire narrative he crafted around his first marriage. No one believes that he & Camilla were not deeply entwined throughout or that they only reconnected in ‘86, which was the talking point repeated (oddly enough, with perfectly pitched synchornicity) by all their co-conspirators and friends. Diana wasn’t paranoid. She just refused to be a puppet. That’s kind of what the whole story is about. When Camilla demanded — with breathtaking entitlement — “what more would you want?” at the Goldsmith party where Diana confronted her, the implication was that a loveless marriage should be a fair price for two healthy children and a life of luxury. But Diana wasn’t a fiend for luxury for its own sake, I’m sure she liked the good life, but she wasn’t workshy. Her lifestyle wasn’t a substitute for having a life. If you know what I mean. Getting stuck in, doing her job, setting the record straight. If this were all for show, just like the Truman show, as Harry said, you could put a brave face on the situation and keep your own amours on the side. But it’s a credit to her that she wasn’t willing to make this cynical bargain. The thing is, people like Charles & Camilla are nothing if not cynical. But time has a way of testing people and they have no mettle — Diana’s reputation for defiant integrity hasn’t really faded in nearly 30 years and Charles commands no respect at all within his own family. William and Kate showed up for the Queen because they respected her. She famously didn’t order anyone to do anything, she was a very live-and-let-live parent and spouse, but people responded to her requests as if they were summons because she didn’t spare herself. How do you blow off someone who’s put herself to one side to suck it up and do the job? Charles does the job, but he also comes across as whiny, self-indulgent, obtuse, sanctimonious, and self-absorbed. I imagine it would be nearly impossible for William to respect someone like that.
They literally have skin balms that are a flush of rose pink. It just adds a flush of “I am alive” to a winter pale face. Or any face needing that really.
Almost a necessity these days. Hard not to walk around ghostly pale concerned about potential foreign access to the US’s nuclear weapons. Anyway.
The balms are also dual purpose. Most are intensely hydrating and moisturizing and truly excellent for sensitive chemo skin.
Although he’s gone through his life unexfoliated and unmoisturized. Old habits and all that.
Whatever the case. Human lives end and it’s a devastating process for many and for those who love them. May those currently facing the move onto the next event have no regrets and know only peace and oneness with the universe and spend their time surrounded, supported and comforted by the people they have cultivated loving relationships with.
“Are “Easter colors” not a thing in the UK? Do you guys not wear pastels and light florals around the Easter holiday?”
Honestly, no. The concept of dressing for different seasons imo is very American. We don’t really have that at all. But I also feel that Easter is a much, much bigger deal in America than it is in Britain. Like from what I’ve seen in American books and TV shows, Easter is kind of a big deal with special Easter clothes, hats, Easter egg hunts, etc. Easter isn’t really a big deal in Britain except for the tiny minority who are religious – most Brits just eat chocolate and that’s it. You might make a nice lamb lunch on Easter Sunday, or go away somewhere to take advantage of the school break, but most people I know don’t even acknowledge Easter at all except buying chocolate for their kids. The idea of wearing pastels for Easter or any special clothes would be considered a slightly unusual Americanism.
But the RF are a bit of a weird aberration in that they have to be performatively Christian in an extremely atheist/agnostic country. Britain is pretty aggressively non-religious generally (except for followers of minority religions) and we don’t have fundamentalist Christianity colouring the cultural discourse around religion the way the US does.
@Samuelwhiskers, but what about the all important Easter presents? 🤣🤣
I find dressing in special colours for months of the year very American. Especially when people in other parts of the world have different seasons. I’ve never heard of special colours for spring, autumn, winter, summer, Easter. Lol it’s always very funny the rules some have. Where I live we dress for the actual weather, that’s it. Americans are funny!
I was in a restaurant in London yesterday (Easter Sunday) and almost everyone was in black or dark colours, even the children.
Very very normal to wear black or dark colours on Easter. No one wears pastels unless they’re American, or just happens to like and always wear pastels.
I like this little black jacket. Versatile. Not so cute here, but I could see myself wearing it with a different outfit, lighter spring dress maybe or sweater and jeans.
What I found hilarious is the official royal accounts posts on the visit was of, mainly, inside shots and the background music was a brass band so any dissenting noises were erased.
I am here for the protester in the yellow suit, and the Jesus of the Gospels would be, too.
And quite possibly, tables might be flipped…
I would have loved to become a costume and set designer. Unfortunately, it became something academic, but the costumes these people wear are really only bearable in a sketched environment. As a modern piece with counterpoint. She really does look like an out of time, fantasised witch with her hat and velvet dress. Creepy, best gothic, only without the fishnet stockings. Either these people have an extraordinary sense of humour that they wear such costumes from the stage, or, seriously, it’s at least 100 years too late for this fuss. And I’m not talking about the Good Friday service.
Easter colours are not a thing here. Maundy is only a thing in the UK for religious people. Most of us only know the date because this Royal event is always covered in the news. It is a traditional thing where rich people would give money on this day to poor local people.
Dressing in light colours could be rather awkward in Britain, especially when easter is early, there is often snow on the ground in late March/early April.
I actually like the dark green colour. That’s the only nice thing I can say about these two.
I liked the dark green as well but not the black jacket over the top.
The black feathers in Camilla’s hat at Easter are odd for their common association with death and transition .
I noticed how often in these pictures Camila is looking straight at the photographer. Very Kate Middleton of her.
I’m fascinated by the fact their helicopter(s) is painted the same special color as their cars. That’s a whole level of entitlement right there.