Prince Charles reveals he chose some of the music for Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding
Prince of Wales says his grandmother inspired his love of classical music
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Your support makes all the difference.Prince Charles has opened up about the additional role he had in the planning of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton while discussing his love of classical music.
Speaking with Alan Titchmarsh on Classic FM, The Prince of Wales revealed that he had chosen some of the music played during his eldest son’s wedding in 2011.
“I love trying to organise some interesting, I hope, pieces of music for certain occasions… particularly for weddings if people want," he said during the two-part series A Royal Appointment. "I know my eldest son was quite understanding and was perfectly happy for me to suggest a few pieces for their wedding."
According to the Queen’s son and heir, he hopes his choices gave some people “pleasure”.
“I hope that gave some people pleasure, but it's rather fun having orchestras in for great occasions like that, and why not suggest a few pieces occasionally? Anyway... I do enjoy it,” he added, according to People.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding on 29 April included music from various artists, including the Abbey's choir and the Chapel Royal Choir, the London Chamber Orchestra and the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the RAF, and Claire Jones, the Prince of Wales' official harpist, according to the BBC.
The royal couple also paid tribute to Prince Charles on their wedding day with their song choices Farewell to Stromness, Touch Her Soft Lips and Part and Romance for String Orchestra Op 11, according to The Spruce, as the songs were also played at the 71-year-old’s 2005 wedding to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
During the interview, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son also discussed the role his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, had in influencing his love of classical music.
Recalling that “various people would play [classical music] around me,” Prince Charles said: “My grandmother used to play quite a bit of music, so I would hear something there. But I suspect the first time I really became aware of it was being taken by my grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, to Covent Garden aged seven, I think.
“It must have been in 1956 to see the Bolshoi Ballet perform. It was their first visit to the United Kingdom and I shall never forget that incredible occasion.”
According to the royal, he was “completely inspired by it” and hopes to eventually impart his love of the arts in his own four grandchildren.
“I was completely inspired by it," Prince Charles said. "Which is why it's so important, I think, for grandparents or other relations to take children at about the age of seven to experience some form of the arts in performance."
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