Duchess has got talent! Royal seeks music stars
ALTHOUGH she is increasingly frail, the Duchess of Kent is determined to leave a lasting legacy. And, I can reveal, that today she is celebrating her 91st birthday by launching a ‘ground-breaking’ partnership between two of her charities to nurture the musical talents of gifted young singers from lowincome backgrounds across the country.
Katharine, who is married to Queen Elizabeth’s first cousin the Duke of Kent, founded the charity Future Talent, and it is linking up with the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain, of which she is patron.
The scheme will offer full bursaries to children to participate in the choir’s two annual week-long residential courses during the school holidays.
They will be given opportunities to take part in performances, workshops, masterclasses and recordings.
‘I am truly delighted to witness the union of Future Talent and the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain in this important endeavour,’ the Duchess says.
‘This partnership embodies the spirit of inclusivity and accessibility, with a shared commitment to nurturing the musical talents of the future.’
Nick Robinson, chairman and co-founder of Future Talent, tells me: ‘ It gives me great pleasure to wish Katharine a very happy birthday today.
‘She is in good spirits and loves to hear news of Future Talent and our young musicians. She is fully supportive of our new initiative. Katharine is very grateful for all the kind messages on her birthday.’
Born Katharine Worsley, the Duchess has long championed the cause of providing access to musical education for young talents across Britain.
She taught music at a primary school in East Hull, where she was referred to as ‘Mrs Kent’, and would travel by train from her home at Kensington Palace, London. She even revealed in a newspaper interview that she was fond of rap music, in particular U.S. star Eminem.