Welsh opera singer, Sir Bryn Terfel, has said that he is looking forward to giving Wales "a platform" by singing at King Charles III's upcoming coronation ceremony. The Gwynedd-born singer is set to perform alongside the Choir of Westminster Abbey at the service on Saturday, May 6.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the performance will be the first in the Welsh language at a coronation. They will perform 'Coronation Kyrie', which according to its Denbighshire composer Paul Maelor, is a "cry from the deep soul of the hills and valleys of Wales".
In an interview with BBC Cymru Fyw, Sir Bryn Terfel said that he saw this opportunity as a way to promote the Welsh language and Wales. However, he acknowledged that some people may had a negative thing to say about his decision to take part in the royal event.
Read more: Part of King Charles' coronation will be sung in Welsh
"The piece is to be sung in Welsh," he said. "That is my mindset every time I work with the Royal Family, that it is related to Wales. It's also a platform for the Welsh language once again. I can't put myself beside Rob (McElhenney) and Ryan (Reynolds) and what they are doing in Wrexham, but they knew the huge significance when I spoke to them in New York, of the Welsh language."
Said to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated dates in the UK calendar, the coronation will see King Charles III crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. The last time Britain held a coronation ceremony was 70 years ago when Queen Elizabeth II, who was 27-years-old at the time, was crowned on June 2, 1953.
After Queen Elizabeth II died in September last year, she was succeeded by her son, Charles, who not long after her death announced that his son Prince William and his wife Princess Catherine, would become the new Prince and Princess of Wales. The couple recently visited south Wales, in which the couple were seen abseiling in Bannau Brycheiniog.
When talking further about the Royal Family, Sir Bryn said: "Yes, it is important that I am there giving Wales a platform and perhaps collaborate with the Royal Family. I think there will be something interesting coming with William and Kate coming to Wales, with the mindset of collaborating with things that will be very good for the nation I hope.
"Someone may consider the thousands of years of history that can't be transformed, of course, some people will say negative things. But for me personally, music and Wales are the most important things."
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