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The Queen hands out Maundy money | The Queen hands out Maundy money |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Queen has celebrated her 85th birthday by handing out Maundy money in a traditional royal service at Westminster Abbey. | The Queen has celebrated her 85th birthday by handing out Maundy money in a traditional royal service at Westminster Abbey. |
The monarch handed out specially minted coins to deserving recipients in a ceremony dating from the Middle Ages. | The monarch handed out specially minted coins to deserving recipients in a ceremony dating from the Middle Ages. |
Among the 170 people - 85 men and 85 women - who received Maundy money this year were 40 from the Isle of Man. | Among the 170 people - 85 men and 85 women - who received Maundy money this year were 40 from the Isle of Man. |
Buckingham Palace said it was the first time the Queen's birthday had fallen on Maundy Thursday. | Buckingham Palace said it was the first time the Queen's birthday had fallen on Maundy Thursday. |
'Big adventure' | 'Big adventure' |
Each year the the Queen chooses a different church to distribute the coins - Maundy money. | Each year the the Queen chooses a different church to distribute the coins - Maundy money. |
This year the venue was the abbey, due to host the wedding of her grandson, Prince William to Kate Middleton, on 29 April. | This year the venue was the abbey, due to host the wedding of her grandson, Prince William to Kate Middleton, on 29 April. |
One of this year's recipients was Dorothy Boyde, 75, who had never left the Isle of Man before. | One of this year's recipients was Dorothy Boyde, 75, who had never left the Isle of Man before. |
She told the BBC: "I wouldn't go for anything else. It's a big adventure." | She told the BBC: "I wouldn't go for anything else. It's a big adventure." |
Usually the recipients of the symbolic alms - one for each year of the monarch's life - are drawn from the same diocese as the cathedral the Queen visits. | Usually the recipients of the symbolic alms - one for each year of the monarch's life - are drawn from the same diocese as the cathedral the Queen visits. |
The Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Robert Patterson, suggested to the Queen several months ago that she visit Douglas. | The Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Robert Patterson, suggested to the Queen several months ago that she visit Douglas. |
Buckingham Palace later decided it was too difficult for the Queen to visit the island but said Manx residents could be nominated for the honour this year. | Buckingham Palace later decided it was too difficult for the Queen to visit the island but said Manx residents could be nominated for the honour this year. |
Also nominated were people from the Anglican Diocese of Europe, which is based in Gibraltar. | Also nominated were people from the Anglican Diocese of Europe, which is based in Gibraltar. |
The Maundy Service has been seen as a chance to iron out any technical issues ahead of next week's royal wedding - which will also be broadcast live from Westminster Abbey. | The Maundy Service has been seen as a chance to iron out any technical issues ahead of next week's royal wedding - which will also be broadcast live from Westminster Abbey. |
The Queen has two birthdays - the actual one and the official one in June, which is celebrated with the Trooping the Colour parade. | The Queen has two birthdays - the actual one and the official one in June, which is celebrated with the Trooping the Colour parade. |
On Thursday Union flags are being flown above government buildings from 0800 BST until sunset, and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery gave a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park. | On Thursday Union flags are being flown above government buildings from 0800 BST until sunset, and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery gave a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park. |
The Honourable Artillery Company also fired a 62-gun tribute from Gun Wharf at the Tower of London. |