King’s choristers set to sing for royalty

Excitement is building for six of our talented singers as they prepare to sing for royalty at the Duke of Westminster’s wedding to Olivia Henson on Friday, 7 June.

Will Evans (5LES), Ben Sharp (3WER), Lydia Evans (SHLES), India Skyrme-Walker (SHLES), Hettie Skyrme-Walker (J3S), along with Head of Philosophy and Theology, Mr James Rees, are all members of Chester Cathedral Choir and they are thrilled – if slightly nervous – at the prospect of singing at such an important, high profile occasion.

Around 400 guests are expected to attend the wedding, with Prince William and Prince George expected to have roles in the nuptials. 

Fifth Year pupil Will, pictured separately below, sings Bass alongside Mr Rees in the Cathedral choir and is a Choral Scholar and Lay Clerk. He knows that this is a moment that he will never forget. 

He said: “There is a real buzz in the city about the wedding and there is no escaping the magnitude of the occasion.

“I am honoured to be a part of the ceremony; there aren’t many people of our age who can say that they have sung for royalty in their home cathedral.”

The pupils have been rehearsing for many weeks and will be at the Cathedral early on Friday morning amidst heightened security around the event. 

Will said: “Our schedules and the normal way of things at the Cathedral have had to change for the occasion but we calm our nerves by telling ourselves that we are simply doing what we do every week, just on a slightly larger scale.”

Headmaster George Hartley is very proud that members of the King’s community will play such an important role in the wedding. 

He said: “What a wonderful experience for these talented singers! I hope they savour every moment of the occasion and I can’t wait to hear about the day when they return to school on Monday.

“This group of pupils and Mr Rees all play a very active role in the musical life of King’s, singing with Schola Cantorum and, in Hettie’s case, in the Junior School Choir, and I am incredibly proud that they are taking their place on a much bigger stage for the Duke’s wedding.”

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