CIVIC, Church and Tourism leaders have hailed news that the Queen will visit York on 5th April to distribute Maundy Money.
The Lord Mayor, Coun David Horton, who announced the royal visit said how “honoured and delighted” he was that the Queen would be coming in such an important year, both for her personally and for the city. He said: “York has a long association with the British monarchy and I’m sure residents will provide a fitting welcome for the Queen.”
The monarch is expected to enter the city in traditional fashion at Micklegate Bar, where she will be greeted by the Lord Mayor and York’s first female town clerk – council chief executive Kersten England – and then go to the Minster for the service.
The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Keith Jones, said staff at the cathedral were “thrilled” the Queen had decided to distribute the Royal Maundy there in her 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,” said the Dean, who retires only weeks after the service. “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.” He said 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.”
