Royal Wedding Choir: Where They Came From

The choir that performed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was the Kingdom Choir, a London-based gospel group. The choir performed a rendition of Stand By Me at the couple's wedding in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. The Kingdom Choir's performance was a highlight of the culture-blending ceremony, and the group gained international prominence following their appearance.

The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding

The choir's performance added a unique touch to the royal wedding, with their powerful voices filling the chapel and creating an incredible and powerful moment. The song, made famous by Ben E. King, was an inspired choice for the occasion, blending American soul music with the British royalty.

The Kingdom Choir, conducted by Karen Gibson, is a group of passionate singers who have been rehearsing and performing together for over 20 years. Their performance at the royal wedding catapulted them into the spotlight, with their following increasing significantly overnight. They signed with Sony Music UK and have since performed at various prestigious events, including the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Sydney and the coronation of King Charles III.

The choir's performance at the royal wedding was more than just a musical interlude; it represented the blending of cultures and traditions, adding a modern twist to the royal tradition. The choir's participation showcases the impact of music in bringing people together and creating memorable experiences.

The Kingdom Choir's performance continues to be remembered as a highlight of the royal wedding, and their talent and passion have left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it.

The choir's rendition of Stand By Me

The Kingdom Choir's rendition of "Stand By Me" at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a highlight of the culture-blending ceremony. The song, originally by Ben E. King, was performed in a three-part harmony by the London-based gospel group, conducted by Karen Gibson.

The choir's performance was particularly poignant given Markle's background as a biracial woman, marking a sign of inclusivity in the modern-day monarchy. The royal couple held hands as the choir sang, with the newly named Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchanging vows shortly after.

The choir's performance had a significant impact on the group's fortunes, with their website crashing twice on the night of the wedding and their following increasing from 700 to 35,000 by the Sunday. The group signed with Sony Music U.K., performed at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Sydney, and released a debut album, also titled "Stand By Me".

The Kingdom Choir's conductor, Karen Gibson, reflected on the experience, stating that they "weren't prepared for the response to the song" and that their focus remains on "reaching people with their music".

The choir's conductor, Karen Gibson

The Kingdom Choir's conductor, Karen Gibson, is a British musician, choir conductor, and workshop leader. She founded the choir in 1993 and has been involved with vocal groups and choirs since, conducting gospel workshops across the UK, Europe, Nigeria, Japan, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and the US.

Gibson has been described as "Britain's godmother of gospel". She has also provided backing vocals for acts such as Grace Kennedy and The Beautiful South. In 2020, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Birthday Honours for services to music.

The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018 catapulted the group into the spotlight. Their rendition of "Stand By Me" in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle was a highlight of the culture-blending ceremony. Gibson said that the choir was unprepared for the response to their performance, which included their website crashing and their following skyrocketing.

Following the wedding, the choir signed with Sony Music UK and has since performed at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Sydney, released an album, and embarked on tours in the UK, Australia, and the US. Gibson reflected on the impact of the royal wedding, saying:

> "We were expecting to have a nice day out, have a bit of a platform, then everything kind of went mad after that... We weren’t prepared for the response to the song, we weren’t prepared for our website crashing twice on the night of the wedding, we weren’t prepared for our following to go up from 700 on the Friday to 35,000 by the Sunday. We weren’t expecting any of it."

The choir's performance at King Charles III's coronation

The Kingdom Choir, who performed at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, also performed at the coronation of King Charles III. The choir was founded and has been led for over 20 years by Karen Gibson.

The choir's performance added to the rich tapestry of music composed for coronations, with King Charles III commissioning new works to add a modern spin to the traditional ceremony. The choir's participation also reflected the monarch's desire to blend tradition and heritage with new musical voices, showcasing his lifelong love and support for music and the arts.

The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding had similarly captured the world's attention and propelled the group into the spotlight. Their rendition of "Stand By Me" at the wedding became a highlight of the culture-blending ceremony, and the choir has since gone on to achieve worldwide recognition and success.

The choir's performance as a culture-blending element

The Kingdom Choir's performance at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was a powerful moment of culture-blending. The London-based gospel choir, conducted by Karen Gibson, performed a rendition of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" at the wedding, which took place on May 19, 2018, at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The choir's performance added a unique touch to the ceremony, reflecting the couple's desire to incorporate African-American culture into their special day.

The Kingdom Choir's involvement in the wedding was a surprise to many, as gospel music is not commonly associated with traditional British royal weddings. The choir's performance of "Stand By Me" was a meaningful choice, with the song's message of love and support resonating deeply with the couple and their guests. The song also held personal significance for Meghan, as it blended her American heritage with the British traditions of the royal family.

The choir's performance received worldwide acclaim and brought them international recognition. Prior to the wedding, the Kingdom Choir was largely unknown outside of London. However, their performance at the royal wedding propelled them into the spotlight, with their talent recognised and celebrated globally. The choir's rendition of "Stand By Me" was described as "an incredible and powerful moment" and left a lasting impression on those who watched.

The cultural significance of the choir's performance was also acknowledged by Meghan's friend, Serena Williams, who attended the wedding. She highlighted the importance of representing Meghan's culture through the gospel choir's performance, describing it as "courageous" and "breaking boundaries". The inclusion of the Kingdom Choir in the wedding ceremony was a deliberate choice by the couple to blend their cultural backgrounds and create an inclusive atmosphere.

The Kingdom Choir's performance at the royal wedding was not only a beautiful musical moment but also a symbol of the couple's commitment to cultural fusion. Through their song, the choir helped to create a memorable and meaningful atmosphere that celebrated the union of two individuals from different backgrounds. Their performance continues to inspire and touch people worldwide, showcasing the power of music to bring people together and create lasting memories.

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