One melodious endeavor. A day after the birth of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s third baby, Kensington Palace segued from royal baby news to more royal wedding updates by releasing yet another detail about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming nuptials.
“Both Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their Service, which will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works,” the palace announced via Twitter on Tuesday, April 24.
The couple kept their music preferences close to the venue by having the director of music at St. George’s Chapel lead the melodious venture along with the choir. The Choir of St. George’s Chapel, which was founded in 1348, features 23 male students from the school who sing a range of music “from all ages,” according to the palace update.
Harry and Markle also selected 19-year-old renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason to perform on the day of the wedding. The connection is rather personal for Harry, who saw Kanneh-Mason play a London event in June 2017. “I’m so excited and honored to perform at Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding,” the classical instrument player remarked. “I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes! What a privilege to be able to play the cello at such a wonderful event. I can’t wait!”
19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, winner of 2016 @BBCYoungMus. Last June, Prince Harry saw Sheku play at an event in London in support of the work of Antiguan charity the Halo Foundation. pic.twitter.com/C3QSfcbXJl
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 24, 2018
Another high note from the ceremony will be a performance by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir, which is a Christian gospel group based in England. “It will be a moment that we will always treasure,” Gibson, the gospel conductor, expressed. “And we’d like to take the opportunity to wish the couple all the very best for their coming union.”
Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir. The Choir is made up of a group of British artists dedicated to creating a sound that demonstrates the community they share, and has been performing both nationally and internationally for over 20 years. pic.twitter.com/tae19p6G6E
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 24, 2018
Rounding out the list of artists becoming part of the official program include Welsh soprano Elon Manahan Thomas and Luke Bond, the assistant director of music at St. George’s Chapel, who will accompany on the organ. David Blackadder, a star artist who will play the trumpet with the orchestra, will be supported by the State Trumpeters.
The only question remaining now is… Will the Spice Girls perform at the wedding reception? Follow along with The Knot for all things royal weddings leading up to and during the May 19 spectacle.
