London, Thanasis Gavos

The importance of extending a “hand of friendship, especially in times of need” will be emphasized by Mr King Charles in recorded message which will be broadcast noonduring the liturgy at the Niptiros ceremony in his Cathedral Worcesteras it is today Great Thursday for Anglicans and Catholics.

He himself will be absent from the service today but will attend the Easter service this Sunday in Windsor.

The royal family will be represented at the ceremony by Queen Camillawhich will distribute to the congregation the special coins traditionally offered by the monarch in this particular ceremony.

Until the 17th century the monarch washed the feet of the faithful, in a representation of the Last Supper. Now the “Nipter coins” are offered to 75 elderly men and 75 elderly women who help in the church and the local.

What will Charles say in the sermon?

It will be the first message of the 75-year-old British monarch, after the announcement of the diagnosis cancer of the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.

It was recorded in mid-March at Buckingham Palace and the accompanying photo shows a slightly slimmer Charles, as commented by the British media. The king is being treated for an unspecified form of cancer.

Charles will send to the nation the Easter Wishes and is expected to assure the British people that the monarchy it still remains powerful.

The king does not make a straight line report in his message to health problems of himself and the Princess of Wales (the recording was made before her cancer announcement), but some interpret the support for those in need as an indirect reference to the public’s reaction to the related announcements.

“We should serve and care for each other“, King Charles will say, repeating the promise he made at his coronation that he is on the throne “not to be served, but to serve”.