King Charles has been spotted this week with a lady who played an important role in his youngest son Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding. The monarch, 76, is reportedly not currently on talking terms with Harry or his wife Meghan Markle, 43, however was seen just yesterday talking to a friend of the couple.
The King arrived at South by SouthWest London (SXSW London), a culture, technology and creativity festival in Shoreditch, East London, on Thursday for a royal engagement. The monarch was all smiles at the festival, especially when he was treated to a performance by the same singers who performed at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 2018 wedding.
Charles heard the Kingdom Choir when he arrived at the event and was seen sharing a laugh with Karen Gibson, the conductor of the Kingdom Choir who performed at the wedding seven years ago.
This is not the first time the King has met Ms Gibson, with the monarch having met her at a garden party at Buckingham Palace the same year as Harry and Meghan’s wedding.
It is believed the King actually suggested Harry and Meghan have the choir at their wedding, which was revealed by Prince Harry, 40, himself.
In the documentary Prince, Son, and Heir: Charles at 70, Harry – who quit royal life in 2020 – revealed how King Charles helped to organise the music at the wedding.
When speaking about the gospel choir, Harry said: “More help from my dad on that one.”
Ms Gibson, who, along with the choir, performed Stand by Me during the wedding ceremony, previously revealed that it was Charles who helped to sort the arrangements.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain back in 2018, Karen said: “The call was not through Harry and Meghan. Everyone thinks it was but it was Prince Charles who loves gospel music and one of his members of staff is friends with an ex member of the choir. That’s where the connection is.”
The choir mistress has also spoken positively about her interactions with Harry and Meghan in the past. Speaking on Lorraine in 2020, she said: “Yeah, well we got to meet Meghan and Prince Harry before the wedding and they were absolutely wonderful. We got to talk about the song and arrangement, which was very particular!
“They were wonderful. They were really down to earth, very approachable, friendly.”