The king was joined by Queen Camilla at Durham Cathedral for the annual Maundy Thursday ceremony honoring community elders with special coin purses.

Mr Harrold also shared: "I remember one year the King actually wrote me a little letter and he thanked me for spending my Easter with them, it was my first Easter with them, and he put Cadbury's mini eggs in the envelopes, so when I opened the envelope, all those sweets fell out."

Britain's King Charles on Thursday used his annual Easter message to reflect on war, human suffering and the heroism of those who risk their lives to protect others.