SINGER KATHERINE JENKINS
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My fondest memory of performing for Her Majesty was at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. It was a huge honour to even be there as a performer. The audience were all so thrilled to see Her Majesty and she looked in great health – everybody was thrilled to be in her presence.
At the end of the evening, she took a lap of honour around the arena, and as she came along the front of the stage I heard her say: “Oh, there’s Katherine,” and she gave me a little wave. That was such a wonderful and special moment for me and one that I will always treasure. Of course, it turns out that that was the last time I saw her in person and the last time I sang for her – so it’s even more poignant today.
I was always impressed by her work ethic, her dedication and her sense of duty. She requested to be part of an episode of Songs of Praise, highlighting the 150 years of the Scripture Union and, through that experience, I really came to understand how important her faith was to her decision-making process. She was incredibly warm, funny, had great compassion and understanding of how people may be feeling.
I was terrified when I first met her. I grew up in a family where my mum and nanna were huge fans of Her Majesty and the royal family, so it was natural to follow that. Singing for her for the first time was a massive event in our house. Over the years, you’d think it would get easier but, in fact, the more I learnt about her, I had more and more admiration for her. So, it didn’t get easier, it actually got harder as I got more nervous.
When I performed the first version of God Save the King, it was obviously very emotional – I have the most amazing memories of singing the national anthem for Her Majesty over the years.
I was in a church in rural Sussex recording something when I got a call from the BBC saying that they would like to play the first version of God Save the King on Radio 4 on one of their programmes that morning, and that they’d like me to record it. We stopped what
‘ we were doing, and we held a moment’s silence and we said a prayer for Her Majesty and for King Charles III. I then sang it and it was very emotional – but a huge honour.
‘I heard her say: “Oh, there’s Katherine,” and she gave me a little wave’