Here are some old newspaper reports – from 1735, 1790 and 1833 – of the customs observed by the British monarch on Maundy Thursday. The day was traditionally an occasion for the king or queen to give gifts and money to the poor.

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Newcastle Courant, 12 April 1735

This Day being Maunday Thursday, the Rev. Dr. Gilbert, Sub-Almoner, (in the Absence of his Grace the Archbishop of York, Lord Almoner) distributed the usual Alms, viz, a Purse containing Silver Groats, Threepences, Twopences, and Pence, also a quantity of Fish and Bread, to as many poor Men and Women as his Majesty is Years of Age, viz. Fifty-one.

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Hereford Journal, 7 April 1790

This truly royal charity was on Thursday last distributed at Whitehall Chapel. The ceremony being curious, the following are the short particulars:

The Hall was attended by the Sub-Almoner, at twelve, where the persons were assembled; men, and the same number of women.

At dinner the Sub-Almoner presided. Each man and woman had a large piece of good English beef, and the ale was served by the King’s Ale Porters. After dinner, the donation was made, consisting of fresh herrings, dried salmon, and saltfish. Ale again distributed. The Hall was then cleared.

At three in the afternoon the attendance was the same; Cathedral service was in part performed; the Sub-Almoner gave the Royal Bounty, a piece of cloth for a coat to each poor man, and linen cloth to the women, linen cloth, shoes and stockings. The remaining part of the service was performed, when an excellent anthem by Dr. Boyce, “I was sick and ye visited me,” was sung by Guise, Bellamy and Gore. A goblet of wine was served, and the Sub-Almoner, the servants, and all the men and women, drank “The King and his bounty.” The coin was then distributed, which was brought in large purses, viz. two. shillings and two silver two-penny pieces to each person, of the present King’s coin. Another goblet of wine, and a solemn blessing from the Sub-Almoner, Dr. Kaye, finished this ceremony, which reflects honour upon the benevolent institutions of the ancient Kings of this country. This excellent charity bas continued upwards of three hundred years.

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Morning Advertiser, 5 April 1833

His Majesty’s Royal Maunday was distributed yesterday (Maunday Thursday) to sixty-eight aged and infirm men and sixty-eight women, as many as the King is years old, all of whom were aged above sixty years, and some of them exceeded the age of eighty years. At twelve o’clock the Officers of the Almonry entered the temporary building at the back of Whitehall Chapel, where the distribution took place. The Maunday people were arranged round tables.

The Sub-Almoner having repeated a prayer, shoes and stockings, and woollen cloths were distributed. A yeoman of the Guard then advanced, bearing a large gold dish, covered with purses, each purse containing a sovereign, and sixty-eight silver penny pieces; a purse was given to each person commencing with the women. The officers of the wine cellar then presented the Sub-Almoner and attendants with a cup of wine to drink the King’s health. The Maundy men and women were afterwards served, and were permitted to retain the cup. A loaf of bread was then supplied to each person, the Sub-Almoner having seen that all had been supplied, repeated grace before meat; a piece of beef was then given to the recipients, which the Sub-Almoner having inspected and approved of the quality, repeated grace after meat. The cloths having been removed from the tables, a large bowl, filled with salt fish, and four loaves, were placed before each of the Maunday people, who were afterwards served with cups of ale to drink the King’s health.

The officers of the Almonry in attendance were the Dean of Carlisle, the Sub-Almoner; Mr. Hanby, Secretary and Yeoman of the Almonry; and Mr. Jones, Groom of the Almonry.

The officers of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office and the Yeomen Guard were in attendance as usual.

The King’s minor alms were distributed on Monday and Tuesday to upwards of 800 poor, old, and destitute persons, some of whom were aged 94 and 95 years.