Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales
Encyclopedia
The Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales is a position within the Royal Household. In 2000, Charles, Prince of Wales
revived a tradition of having Welsh harp
ists, which was the first time the post has been occupied since it was last granted to John Thomas in 1871 by Queen Victoria
.
The harp is an important national instrument in Wales, and although the role of Official Harpist was discontinued during the reign of Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales restored the position in 2000 in order to foster and encourage young musical talent in Wales and the UK and to raise the profile of the harp as an instrument.
On 5 July 2006, the Prince of Wales was presented with a £150,000 gold leaf harp from harpist Victor Salvi, founder of Italian harp makers Salvi Harps. The harp is used by the official harpist.
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
revived a tradition of having Welsh harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
ists, which was the first time the post has been occupied since it was last granted to John Thomas in 1871 by Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
.
The harp is an important national instrument in Wales, and although the role of Official Harpist was discontinued during the reign of Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales restored the position in 2000 in order to foster and encourage young musical talent in Wales and the UK and to raise the profile of the harp as an instrument.
On 5 July 2006, the Prince of Wales was presented with a £150,000 gold leaf harp from harpist Victor Salvi, founder of Italian harp makers Salvi Harps. The harp is used by the official harpist.
List of official harpists
- Catrin FinchCatrin FinchCatrin Anna Finch is a Welsh harpist born in Llanon, Ceredigion, Wales. She was the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales from 2000 to 2004 and is Visiting Professor at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Music...
, 2000 to 2004 - Jemima PhillipsJemima Phillips-Biography:Born in North London, her father Robert was an arboriculturist in the London Borough of Camden, and her mother, Jenny, an actress who starred in Steptoe and Son and was once in a film with Ronnie Barker...
, 2004 to 2007 - Claire Jones, 2007 to 2011
- Hannah StoneHannah StoneHannah Stone is a Welsh Harpist from Swansea, Wales.- Personal life :Stone was born in Swansea and grew up in Treboeth and Mumbles. She is engaged to Welsh Baritone Gary Griffiths.- Education :...
, 2011 onwards