Traditional red and white purses given by the Queen to pensioners in the Royal Maundy cathederal ceremony on Mundy Thursday, before Easter

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In a tradition dating back to 600 CE the monarch makes an annual ceremonial gift to pensioners in recognition of their contribution to the community. The ceremony takes place on Maundy Thursday ( the Thursday before Easter Sunday. The queen gives ordinary coins in the red purse and special maundy coins in the white one. The value of coins in pence is equivalent to the number of years of her age.

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Photo credit: © Julian Nieman / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: british, ceremonial, charitable, charity, english, leather, maundy, pensioner, poverty, purse, red, royal, tradition, traditional, white