A PERSONAL Easter message recorded by The King will be broadcast at Worcester Cathedral.

The annual Royal Maundy Service takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at the cathedral where Queen Camilla will distribute gifts to 'exemplary' individuals on behalf of the King.

The Royal Maundy service is a major fixture on the royal calendar.

The ceremony commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper when he washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility the day before Good Friday.

In his Majesty's absence at the Royal Maundy Service, a message from The King pre-recorded will be broadcast at the service.

He has recorded a Bible reading and is to stress the importance of acts of friendship “especially in a time of need” in a personal Easter message.

He will say how Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other”, and how as a nation “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need”.

His Royal Highness was pictured sitting at his desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room as he recorded his message in mid-March.

In front of him was a vase filled with spring flowers and two microphones ready to capture his words.

The Royal Maundy Service last took place in Worcester in 1980, with The King and Queen attending last year's event at York Minster.

The King's message comes in the wake of his and the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnosis.

His Majesty revealed his cancer diagnosis back in February, while the princess released a video message last Friday (March 22) revealing she has started a course of preventative chemotherapy.

She later was said to be “extremely moved” by the public support following her announcement.

The King, aged 75, will also reamplify his Coronation pledge “not to be served but to serve”.

His message comes as he prepares to attend church on Easter Sunday with The Queen in what will be his most significant public appearance since his own diagnosis.