When Prince Harry walked down the aisle to marry Meghan Markle at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018, it was an event that captured the world’s attention. While there were many memorable moments from that day, one of the standout performances was undoubtedly given by the Kingdom Choir.
Who is the Kingdom Choir?
The Kingdom Choir is a British gospel choir based in London, made up of singers from various Christian denominations. The choir was founded in 1994 by Karen Gibson, a choir conductor and workshop leader. Over the years, the choir has performed at various events, including the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. However, it was their performance at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that truly put them on the global stage.
How Did the Kingdom Choir Come to Perform at Prince Harry’s Wedding?
According to reports, it was actually Prince Charles who suggested that the Kingdom Choir should perform at the royal wedding. Karen Gibson, the choir’s founder, has said that she received a call from a person who identified themselves as being from Prince Charles’ office, inviting them to perform at the wedding. The choir was reportedly chosen because of their excellence and ability to provide a soulful and uplifting sound, which was exactly what the royal couple were looking for.
What Did the Kingdom Choir Perform at Prince Harry’s Wedding?
The Kingdom Choir performed “Stand by Me,” a song originally recorded by Ben E. King in 1961. The choice of song was significant, as it was said to reflect Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s commitment to supporting each other through difficult times. The Kingdom Choir’s rendition of the song was truly breathtaking, with their soulful harmonies and powerful vocals filling the chapel with a sense of joy and unity. The performance was widely praised by viewers around the world and helped to bring gospel music into the spotlight in a new and exciting way.
The Impact of the Kingdom Choir’s Performance
The Kingdom Choir’s performance at Prince Harry’s wedding helped to put gospel music on the map and introduce a new generation of listeners to the genre. In the months following the wedding, the choir enjoyed immense success, with their album “Stand by Me” reaching number one on the UK Gospel Chart and number 23 on the UK Albums Chart. They also embarked on a successful tour of the UK, performing to sold-out crowds at venues across the country.
Conclusion
The Kingdom Choir’s performance at Prince Harry’s wedding was a truly special moment that will be remembered for years to come. Their soulful rendition of “Stand by Me” captured the hearts of viewers around the world and helped to shine a light on the beauty and power of gospel music. Since that historic day, the Kingdom Choir has continued to make waves in the music industry, proving that gospel music truly has the power to unite and inspire people from all walks of life.
FAQ
What choir sings for the royal family?
The choir that sings for the royal family is officially known as the Queen’s Chapel Choir. The choir was founded in the 1540s during the reign of King Henry VIII, and its main residence is the Queen’s Chapel, which is located inside the grounds of St James’s Palace in London. The Queen’s Chapel Choir has a long and rich history and is considered to be one of the most prestigious choirs in the United Kingdom.
The main role of the Queen’s Chapel Choir is to provide music for religious services at the Queen’s Chapel, as well as at other royal events such as state occasions and weddings. The choir is made up of twelve adult male singers, known as lay clerks, and six boy choristers. The boy choristers are chosen from local schools and receive a scholarship to attend the nearby St Paul’s Cathedral School.
In addition to the Queen’s Chapel Choir, there are other choirs that have performed for the royal family. One of the most famous is the Choir of Westminster Abbey, which has sung at numerous royal weddings and coronations. Another notable choir is the Chapel Royal Choir, which performs at religious services attended by the monarch, such as the annual Christmas Day service at St James’s Palace.
Most recently, the Kingdom Choir, a Christian gospel group based in Southeast England, gained international attention for their performance at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. The group was handpicked to perform for the royal couple and impressed millions of viewers around the world with their rendition of “Stand by Me”.
The Queen’s Chapel Choir is the primary choir that sings for the royal family. However, there are several other choirs that have also had the honor of performing for members of the royal family at various events throughout history.
Who was the gospel choir at Royal Wedding?
The Kingdom Choir, a British gospel choir based in London, was the gospel choir at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The choir was founded by choir conductor and workshop leader Karen Gibson in 1994, and has been performing for over 20 years in various events. Their music is a blend of traditional gospel music and modern choruses, creating an uplifting and heartfelt sound.
The Kingdom Choir became world-famous after being invited to perform at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018. The choir performed beautiful renditions of classic songs such as “Stand By Me”, “This Little Light of Mine” and “Amen/This Little Light of Mine” to an audience of millions around the world.
After the Royal Wedding, the Kingdom Choir released a recording of “Stand By Me” which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts. They went on to perform at various events such as the Invictus Games closing ceremony, the opening of the 61st Annual Grammy Awards and many more.
The Kingdom Choir is a well-established choir that has been performing for over two decades. Their performance at the Royal Wedding gained them worldwide recognition and opened up opportunities for them to perform at various events. Karen Gibson and the Kingdom Choir are known for their beautiful blend of traditional gospel songs and modern music, which makes their performances a must-see for anyone who loves good music.
Do the royal choir get paid?
The Royal Choral Society is a distinguished choir that has performed many times at notable events such as the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937, and the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Hence, the question arises, do the members of this prestigious choir get paid?
To answer this question, it is essential to understand the nature of the Royal Choral Society. It is primarily a charity organization that aims to promote and maintain choral music, particularly at its highest standard, in the United Kingdom. As such, the choir is run by volunteers who offer their time and talent freely to support the organization’s objectives.
As the choir is not primarily a means of income for its members, they do not receive payment for their services. Instead, members pay a subscription fee to contribute towards the choir’s running costs. Currently, the subscription fee is £150 per year, substantial enough for members who may not be able to afford it to be viewed sympathetically.
It is worth noting that being a part of the Royal Choral Society is more than just singing. Members also have various opportunities for personal and professional development. For instance, they can participate in workshops, take part in international tours, and meet and perform with other renowned choirs worldwide.
Members of the Royal Choral Society do not get paid, but they pay a subscription fee to contribute towards the choir’s running costs. This choir is generally a volunteer-based organization with members offering their time and talents freely to promote and maintain choral music in the United Kingdom at its highest standard.
