Girls fit to sing before HM – after waiting for 674 years
A CHOIR based at Windsor Castle that regularly sings in front of the Queen will include girls for the first time in 674 years.
Lucy Howe and Julia Johnson, both aged nine, are Year 4 pupils at St George’s School Windsor Castle.
They have become the first female choristers to join the choir of St George’s Chapel, and will live in the school’s boarding house during the week and participate in daily rehearsals in Windsor Castle.
The choir of St George’s Chapel, founded in 1348, sings regularly in the presence of the Queen and other members of the Royal family.
Eventually, the girls will be involved in the choir’s regular services alongside their normal schooling.
This follows a decision announced by the Dean of Canons of Windsor in January that girls and boys would sing alongside each other in the choir.
William Goldsmith, headmaster at St George’s School Windsor Castle, said: “We are tremendously proud of our long-standing tradition of educating and housing the choristers of St George’s Chapel.
“To be able to offer this opportunity to everybody at the school, regardless of gender, is very much aligned to our philosophy of valuing all students and recognising that each child has his or her own unique contribution to make to the life of our community and to global society as a whole.”
In 2018, this included singing at royal weddings in the chapel for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and for Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank.
Choristers typically remain in the choir until the end of Year 8, when they leave St George’s School Windsor Castle for senior school.
Mr Goldsmith added: “While only accounting for a small number of the children here at St George’s, the choristers fulfil a vital role in the daily life of the school and the chapel.”