FOLLOWING on from an incredible weekend in London, which included a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, 65 members of Caldicot Male Voice Choir provided Welsh choral music at Buckingham Palace by singing for Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and newly weds Prince Harry and Megan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at a Garden Party which formed the start of Prince Charles’ celebration of his 70th birthday on 14th November.

The Prince of Wales invited over 7,000 guests who represented organisations of which he is the Patron together with representatives of the Emergency Services, Medical teams and military connections of which he is the Colonel in Chief.As part of the programme which included the Band of the Welsh Guards, The National Pipe Band, The Genesis Gospel Singers, Côr y Bro, a mixed voice choir from London, Caldicot Male Voice Choir entertained the 7,000 guests at 4.30pm outside the Royal tea tent, set against the lake.  The choir’s programme, conducted by Siân Hatton and Shirley Anne James and accompanied by John Nicholson and Siân included of course Cwm Rhondda, Anfonaf Angel, Llanfair, Rachie, Men of Harlech, God Bless the Prince of Wales and as a special inclusion for the honeymoon couple the choir included the romantic Everley Brothers hit, Let it Be Me.

Following the choir’s performance and a delicious round of sandwiches, cakes, tea and other treats members were delighted that Prince Charles and Camilla came into the royal tent to join them and chat to several members including Siân Hatton and Shirley Anne James, the choir’s two musical directors. Other choristers spoken to were Andy Friedman, Roger Francis and Garry Keeble who had met the Prince at the opening of the first Severn crossing.

Moving along the line the Prince and Camilla had a brief chat to a number of choristers, including David Currie, Ron Powell, David Gould, John MacArthur and Lyn Gauntlett. 

Among many questions the Prince asked which sections did they sing in and thanked them for their hard work and for coming to his party.

Bass chorister Oliver Edwards was introduced to the Prince as the youngest Mayor of Caldicot Town Council and the thrilled Bill Nash was introduced as probably the oldest active chorister in Wales at 95 years of age.

On departing, the choristers conveyed their thanks for the invitation and wished Prince Charles a very happy birthday.