Katherine Jenkins has paid a glowing tribute to Queen Elizabeth II saying she feels "very lucky" to have sung for her. The classical singer added that she was a "massive fan" of the late Queen and was "hugely inspired" by her work.
The 42-year-old appeared on Sky News on Thursday, September 15 when she reflected on her memories of the Queen and the last time that she sang for her. She also spoke about singing the first recording of God Save the King, which she described as a "huge honour".
Speaking to Kay Burley, Katherine said: "I feel very lucky to have met her over the years and to have sung to her from things like her Diamond Jubilee, Platinum Jubilee, Festivals of Remembrance, in the gardens here at Buckingham Palace for the Coronation concerts and then in more private settings as well.
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She added: "I was such a massive fan, hugely inspired by her and her work and her faith. [I have] some incredible memories of getting to sing the national anthem for her." Get the latest Welsh news sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletters.
The Neath-born singer had performed for the Royal Family on a number of occasions, including the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year. Wearing a stunning blue ballgown, she performed an emotional rendition of Rule Britannia! with the Academy Voices Welsh Choir, in what would turn out to be the last time she ever sang for Elizabeth II.
Katherine said she looks back on that performance fondly, with her memories "even more poignant" following Her Majesty's death. She added that she will "always cherish" the moment that the Queen gave her a little wave as she left the arena following the celebratory concert at Windsor Castle.
"It was so special to even be involved in that," she said. "And of course, Her Majesty was there and she was looking wonderful and all of the audience were just so thrilled to see her. But now it's even more poignant when I look back at that, because that was the last time that I sang for her. And as she was leaving and driving around the arena to say her goodbyes to everybody, she gave me a little wave, which was really special, and something that I'll always cherish now."
Following the Queen's death, the singer was given the honour of singing the first recording of God Save The King. While rehearsing for a performance for Songs of Praise, she was asked by the BBC if she would be willing to sing the new anthem to play on Radio 4 a few hours later.
"I was actually recording something in a little rural church in Sussex," said Katherine. "We got the call from the BBC saying that they would like to play the very first version of God Save the King on BBC Radio Four and would I be able to record it for them.
"So we stopped what we were doing and we held a minute's silence and we prayed for Her Majesty the Queen, and we prayed for the King and then I just sang it. It was obviously very emotional, but a huge honour."
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