
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a cellist who performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. Kanneh-Mason played a selection of classical pieces at the ceremony, including works by Schubert, Maria Von Paradis, and Faure. Since his performance at the royal wedding, Kanneh-Mason has gone on to achieve worldwide fame, releasing a chart-topping album and appearing on television. Kanneh-Mason's talent was evident from a young age, and he made history in 2016 when he became the first black winner of the BBC Young Musician competition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Sheku Kanneh-Mason |
| Instrument | Cello |
| Wedding | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding |
| Date | 19 May 2018 |
| Venue | St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle |
| Audience | 600 guests; 1.9-2 billion viewers |
| Songs | Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis; Apres un Reve by Faure; Ave Maria by Schubert |
| Age at performance | 19 years old |
| Previous notable performances | BBC Young Musician of the Year competition; Britain's Got Talent |
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What You'll Learn

Sheku Kanneh-Mason played at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
The talented cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. The wedding took place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, and Sheku's performance was broadcast to millions of people around the globe.
Sheku was just 19 years old at the time and had already made history as the first black winner of the BBC Young Musician competition in 2016. He was personally invited by Meghan Markle, who called him up to ask if he would play during the ceremony. Sheku said he was "bowled over" and felt privileged and honoured to be a part of the celebrations.
The songs he played during the signing of the register included "Sicilienne" by Maria Von Paradis, "Apres un Reve" by Faure, and "Ave Maria" by Schubert. Sheku's performance captivated the audience, which included a sea of celebrities and wedding hats, and he received widespread praise for his rendition of these classical pieces.
Sheku's performance at the royal wedding propelled him into the spotlight, and his career has soared since then. He has released chart-topping albums, made TV appearances, and collaborated with renowned orchestras and conductors. Sheku's exceptional talent and memorable performance at one of the most prestigious weddings in recent memory have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
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He performed Ave Maria by Schubert
Sheku Kanneh-Mason performed a selection of songs at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. The performance at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, was seen by a global audience of almost 2 billion people.
One of the songs he played was Ave Maria by Schubert. Schubert was a composer who lived from 1797 to 1828. Ave Maria is a devotional song that expresses feelings of love, devotion, and adoration for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The song is set to the music of Schubert's Ellens Gesang III, which is based on a poem by Walter Scott. The lyrics of Ave Maria were written by Sir Walter Scott, who was inspired by the beauty and serenity of the Austrian countryside.
Sheku's performance of Ave Maria by Schubert added a touch of classical elegance to the royal wedding. It's no surprise that his performance captured the hearts of people around the world, as the cello is known for its vocal qualities and its ability to evoke strong emotions. The cello's range and timbre are similar to those of the human voice, which may be why Sheku's performance of Ave Maria resonated so deeply with the audience.
In addition to Ave Maria by Schubert, Sheku also performed Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis and Apres un Reve by Faure. Sheku's talent and passion for music shone through his performances, and his contribution to the royal wedding is a testament to his skill and dedication to his craft.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding solidified his place as one of the most well-known and talented cellists in the world. His career has continued to flourish, and he has released chart-topping albums and made television appearances, all while staying true to his love for chamber music and orchestral performances.
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He played Apres un Reve by Faure
Sheku Kanneh-Mason played Apres un Reve by Faure at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Markle and Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, handpicked the 19-year-old to perform at their wedding in 2018. Kanneh-Mason played the cello in front of 600 guests at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with a global audience of 1.9 billion people.
Kanneh-Mason's performance of Apres un Reve by Faure was one of the pieces played during the signing of the register. He also played Ave Maria by Schubert and Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis.
Kanneh-Mason is a talented cellist who has been playing the instrument since he was six years old. He is the third of seven siblings raised in Nottingham, UK. His parents were musical, though not professionals, and they sacrificed a lot to ensure their children could develop artistically and personally. Kanneh-Mason made history in 2016 when he became the first black winner of the BBC Young Musician competition.
Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding propelled him to international fame. He has since released a chart-topping album and appeared on TV. He was also invited to perform at the Last Night of the BBC Proms, which was televised around the world from London's Royal Albert Hall.
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Sheku played Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, the cellist who performed at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, played Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis, also known as Maria Theresia von Paradis. The song was one of three pieces that Sheku played during the signing of the register at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The other two pieces were Après un Rêve by Fauré and Ave Maria by Schubert.
Sheku's performance at the royal wedding in 2018 put him on the map, but he had already made a name for himself in his home country of Britain. In 2016, he became the first black winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition with a performance of Shostakovich’s First Cello Concerto. He also performed on television with his musical family and released an album of classical pieces and arrangements of modern songs, which topped the classical charts.
Sheku comes from a talented family of musicians. He is the third of seven siblings, six of whom performed on Britain's Got Talent. Sheku's parents were not professional musicians themselves but ensured their children could develop artistically and personally. Sheku's mother, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, wrote a book about their family's musical journey called "House of Music: Raising the Kanneh-Masons."
Sheku has been playing the cello since he was six years old and has said that he prefers playing in chamber ensembles and orchestras. He has performed at the BBC Proms, the BAFTAS, and in packed concert halls worldwide. In addition to his classical repertoire, Sheku has also released a chart-topping album and appeared on television. He continues to pursue his passion for music and collaboration with fellow musicians.
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1.9 billion people watched him play
In 2018, 1.9 billion people worldwide watched 19-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason perform at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Kanneh-Mason was handpicked by Meghan Markle to perform at the wedding, which took place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Kanneh-Mason's performance included renditions of Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis, Apres un Reve by Faure, and Ave Maria by Schubert. The event was broadcast to millions around the globe, with an international television audience of 1.9 billion people, or around a quarter of the entire population of planet Earth.
Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding was a major milestone in his young career, propelling him into the spotlight and resulting in numerous invitations to perform at other weddings. He has since had many television performances and released multiple albums, including "Elgar" and "Inspiration," which have achieved commercial and critical success.
Kanneh-Mason's talent for music was evident from a young age, and he began playing the cello when he was just six years old. He participated in talent shows with his family, and in 2015, he appeared on "Britain's Got Talent," showcasing his skills alongside his siblings. In 2016, he became the first black winner of the prestigious BBC Young Musician of the Year award, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in the classical music world.
Kanneh-Mason's performance at the royal wedding was a significant moment not only for him but also for classical music as a whole. His playing captivated the audience, both those in attendance and the millions watching worldwide. His talent and passion for music shone through, and he created quite a sensation, with the hashtag #CelloBae gaining traction on social media.
The impact of Kanneh-Mason's performance extended beyond the wedding itself. His interpretation of the pieces he played, combined with his expressive playing style, left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. His choice of repertoire, which included works by composers such as Bach, Benjamin Britten, and contemporary composers like Edmund Finnis, showcased his musical versatility and contributed to the memorable nature of his performance.
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Frequently asked questions
Sheku Kanneh-Mason played the cello at the wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018. He performed Sicilienne by Maria Von Paradis, Apres un Reve by Faure, and Ave Maria by Schubert.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a British cellist who first picked up the instrument at the age of six. He was the first black winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 2016.
Sheku was 19 years old when he performed at the wedding.
Sheku's performance was seen by a global audience of 1.9 billion people.
The cello is known for its vocal qualities and is considered the instrument most reminiscent of the human voice due to its range and timbre.











































