A RETIRED official of Worcester Cathedral is set to meet the Queen today for the ancient Maundy money ceremony.

Raymond Fowler and his wife Elizabeth have been invited to take part in the ritual at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The first Maundy money ceremony took place in the reign of Charles II. Now the recipients are chosen for the Christian service they have given to church and community.

At the ceremony, the Queen hands each recipient two small purses, a red one containing ordinary coins, and a white one contains silver Maundy coins.

Mr Fowler served for many years as custos of Worcester Cathedral, a post now known as head verger. He has also worked with the Churches Conservation Trust looking after St Swithun’s Church off Worcester High Street.

He said that he was looking forward to taking part.

“The ceremony actually took place in Worcester Cathedral in 1980, the year I came to the cathedral, but I missed it because I did not start until June,” he said.

“It was originally held every year at Westminster Abbey, but more recently it is held in different churches and cathedrals across the country, presumably to give better coverage.”