His Majesty’s First Maundy (1936)

Full title reads: “His Majesty’s first Maundy Ceremony at Westminster Abbey“. London. M/S of three elderly women walking past line of policemen. A car draws up outside Abbey. M/S of King Edward VIII (formerly Prince of Wales, later Duke of Windsor) shaking hands with Dean of Westminster and other religious dignitaries. The Dean holds a posy of flowers (nosegay), relic of plague years. The King and entourage enter Abbey. The narrator explains that usually the King’s age dictates number of people receiving Maundy gifts. However, this year Edward will give out 70 gifts, as if his father (King George V) was still alive. A procession of religious dignitaries, including the Archbishop of Canterbury (Cosmo Gordon Lang), walk out of Abbey. The Dean and King (also carrying posy) follow. King shakes hands with dignitaries. Crowds cheer as King’s car drives away. Various C/U of elderly people, recipients of King’s gifts, holding out silver Maundy coins and small leather purses. They also receive a gift