Prince William said that he is making sure his three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, get to learn from his “biggest weakness” as he revealed their passion for music. The Prince of Wales headed to Lambeth, South London, on Tuesday to tour Symphony Studios, a music lessons provider based in the grounds of a former south London school.
It is also home to youth charity Spiral Skills, supported by William’s homelessness project Homewards. While there, the future King spoke about the importance of music in his life after politely turning down the opportunity to play the drums, but said his youngest child, Louis, would have loved to have had a go.
When a young student offered William the chance to sit behind a drum kit, the prince replied: “I’m definitely not a drummer—if my youngest was here, he’d have a go; he’s been practising at the moment. But I’d love to hear you do it—thank you for asking.”
After listening to a performance by youngsters joined by their music teachers, he told them: “It’s brilliant, you guys have clearly done a lot of practising – well done, that’s not easy doing that in front of everyone – that’s brilliant.
“You’ve all got amazing rhythm and it sounds fantastic – I wish I started when I was your age.
“I couldn’t read music so that was the biggest weakness, I started off playing piano, trumpet and the drums and then realised I had to memorise every tune and it just fell away. I make sure my children learn music because I love music and it’s crucial, really important.”
Princess Charlotte is following in the footsteps of her mother and learning the piano, while Prince George is believed to play the guitar, but William confessed his musical aspirations ended because he could not read music.
Former gospel star Seth Pinnock founded Symphony Studios, which provides a range of music-based programmes at the Oasis Village, a former girls’ school in Tulse Hill, south London.
The visit came as Sarah Rose was named as the new chief executive officer of the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Royal Foundation, starting her post in February next year.
She is joining from Paramount Global, where she is president of Channel 5 and UK regional lead, and will replace Amanda Berry who will take up the newly created role of global partnerships ambassador, supporting the development and delivery of William and Kate’s philanthropic vision.