The History of Maundy goes back to the 13th century in Britain. It started as a religious connotation with Jesus telling his followers at the Last Supper that they should love one another. This was known as a 'mandatum' or "Maundy". The example set forth by Jesus was to wash the feet of beggars and to give money to the very poor. In fact, the very early monarchs practiced this every year until in 1699 the sitting Monarch, William III, the son of William II and Mary Stuart, started to send an official in his place. Likewise, the practice of washing the feet of the very poor ceased before the 18th century.

It was not until George V, the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II and the great-grandfather of the current monarch, King Charles III, that the sovereign himself or herself would once again give the Maundy sets in person to those that were awarded. Queen Elizabeth missed only five services during her reign.

Today the honor is bestowed on those associated with churches or communities and the dedicated service that they provide. People are nominated by members of the clergy from various Christian denominations. The number of Maundy sets distributed is the age of the current monarch. There is a red and white pouch that is given: the White one contains the currency of that time with the value of the coins equaling the age of the monarch. The red is specially struck silver Maundy coins in the denominations of a penny / twopence / threepence / fourpence. The obverse of the Maundy coins will show the bust of the current monarch, the reverse corresponds with numbers.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla had their first Maundy service on April 6, 2023.