Royals

BGT star personally invited to perform at royal wedding

Meghan Markle called the performer in person to ask if he'd appear

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen the music they would like at their forthcoming wedding ceremony and among the performers is a former star of Britain’s Got Talent.

Nineteen-year-old Sheku Kanneh-Mason will perform, having previously wowed on BGT and won the BBC’s Young Musician Of The Year award.

Instagram
Meghan Markle has asked teenage cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason to perform at her wedding to Prince Harry (Credit: Instagram)

The royal couple, who will tie the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on 19 May, personally asked the talented young cellist to be part of their big day.

Sheku appeared on BGT back in 2015 where he made the live shows as a group with his siblings, calling themselves The Kanneh-Masons.

ITV
Sheku appeared on BGT back in 2015 where he made the live shows as a group with his siblings, The Kanneh-Masons (Credit: ITV)

The talented family played a medley of classic and modern songs for the judges with Skeku on the cello and his siblings playing violins and a piano.

He tweeted his excitement at being involved in the royal wedding, revealing he’d been asked personally to perform by the bride-to-be herself.

He said: “I’m so excited and honoured to perform at Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding.

itv
The group played a medley of classic and modern songs on BGT (Credit: ITV)

“I was bowled over when Ms. Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes! What a privilege to be able to play the cello at such a wonderful event. I can’t wait!”

Read more: 2018 Royal wedding guide

Sheku is one of a number of musicians confirmed to take part in the royal wedding in just over three weeks’ time.

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Kensington Palace announced this week: “Both Prince Harry and Ms. Markle have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their Service, which will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works.  The music will be under the direction of James Vivian, Director of Music, St George’s Chapel.”

Mr. Vivian said: “The Choristers, Lay Clerks, Organists and I are very much looking forward to this exciting day and are pleased to be performing at the service music chosen by the couple.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming to St George’s musical colleagues from near and far who will be performing at this very special and joyful occasion.”

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Harry and Meghan are said to have taken great interest and care over the music that will be part of their wedding ceremony (Credit: WENN)

The service will begin at midday on Saturday, 19 May, with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, officiating.

Music will be a big part of the ceremony, from the organist who will play as Meghan walks up the aisle, to the State Trumpeters of the Band of the Household Cavalry who will provide “ceremonial support”.

The hymns will be led by the Choir of St George’s Chapel, made up of 23 boy choristers from St George’s School and twelve Lay Clerks singing alto, tenor and bass.

Flynet
Details of the musicians who will perform during the ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle were announced by Kensington Palace (Credit: Fameflynet)

There will also be a gospel choir performing. The chosen group are Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir, who are based in the South-East of England.

The choir “has become known for its united sound, warm energy and enthusiastic performance.”

Karen Gibson said: “The Kingdom Choir is truly honoured to be invited to sing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, and very excited to be taking part in such a historic moment.

“It will be a moment that we will always treasure, and we’d like to take the opportunity to wish the couple all the very best for their coming union.”

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Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas will sing during the ceremony supported by an orchestra (Credit: Twitter)Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas will sing during the ceremony supported by an orchestra (Credit: Twitter)

Meanwhile, solo singer Elin Manahan Thomas, a Welsh soprano, will perform supported by an orchestra made up of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the English Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia.

It’s likely her performance will come as Harry and Meghan sign the register with witnesses after saying their vows.

She tweeted her excitement after her involvement was announced today.

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Elin tweeted her excitement when her involvement was announced today (Credit: Twitter)

“I’m thrilled to have been asked to sing at such a momentous occasion. It’s always an honour to be invited to be a part of a wedding, and getting to share in a couple’s big day is very special. Good luck to everyone with the preparations!” she wrote.

While the music for the more formal part of the day has been confirmed, it’s not yet known who will take to the stage for the evening reception when the couple and their guests hit the dance floor.

The Real
Mel B may have let slip that the Spice Girls will perform at the wedding reception (Credit: The Real)

It was Ellie Goulding who had the honour of singing when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had their first dance – and Harry and Meghan can take their pick of chart topping performers.

Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Sam Smith have all said they’d jump at the chance to perform if asked.

But the most highly tipped to be there are the Spice Girls, following their reunion earlier this year.

The Real
Mel B said she’s be “fired” if she told the excited presenters anything more (Credit: The Real)

Mel B let slip on US show The Real in February that she was set to attend, and that the rest of the Spice Girls have also been invited.

“I’m not sure if I should have said that. Why am I so honest?” she said.

She didn’t officially confirm they would be performing at the reception when asked, but the presenters took her inability to deny the question as confirmation.

“I need to go. I’m going to be fired,” Mel B said as the presenters danced and screamed around her.

CBS
Victoria Beckham looked awkward when James Corden asked her if she was going to the royal wedding on his Late, Late Show (Credit: CBS)

James Corden put Victoria Beckham in a similarly awkward spot when she appeared on his Late, Late Show last week.

The mother-of-four looked visibly awkward and fumbled her words as she replied: “I… I… I don’t know,” after James asked her: “Are you going?”

He then laughed at her reaction, saying: “You’re totally going! Well, how exciting, it will be wonderful.”

CBS
James took Victoria’s awkward response as confirmation she is going (Credit: CBS)

Victoria, 43, then seemed to confirm the news by saying: “Yes. England is so excited. It’s so great isn’t it and so happy.”

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But as Victoria and husband David both attended Prince William’s wedding as guests, it could be they will just be there for the day and not for Victoria to perform with the Spice Girls.

She’s also been tipped as one of the favourites to have designed Meghan’s wedding dress, although she denied this to James.

Who do you think will perform at the royal wedding reception? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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