King Edward himself distributes Maundy money at historic ceremony . King Edward himself took part in the 60 year old ceremony of distributing Maundy Money at Westminster Abbey on Maundy Thursday . This is only the second time that a reigning King has attended the service in 200 years . The late King George was present in 1934 . At the service the King handed the specially minted coins to as many deserving old men and women as he has years of age , 42 . Eighty four people benefited . The gentlemen of the Royal Almonry wore towels during the ceremony to symbolise the time , hundred ' s of years ago , when King ' s washed the feet of poor people . Photo shows , the king holding flowers as he talked to the Arch-Duke of Canterbury . The carrying of the flowers dates back to the King of the Great Plague .