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QUEEN IS FILLED WITH MAUNDY JOY

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14 APRIL 2006

Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, appeared to be on especially cheerful form on Thursday as she attended the Royal Maundy Service at Guildford Cathedral.



The monarch, elegant in a pale primrose slub-weave coat and matching hat, smiled broadly as she accepted bunches of spring blooms from gathered well-wishers and positively beamed after apparently sharing a joke with two of the officiating clergymen.

During the service, which dates back to the 13th century, the monarch traditionally distributes symbolic alms, known as Maundy Money, according to his/her age. So, with her 80th birthday approaching on April 21, the Queen handed out purses to 80 men and 80 women.

Male and female pensioners, who are nominated by clergy of all denominations in recognition of their service to the Church and the community, are handed two little bags – one red, one white. These contain 80p and a £5 coin, all newly minted this year.

"I can't imagine what I'm going to do with the money," said one recipient, 72-year-old former Girl Guide leader Mary Boxall. "I can't imagine wanting to spend it!"

The Queen has attended the traditional service every year since 1971, early on personally taking the decision to hold the cerremony in a different cathedral every year.