It’s October 2019; we are due to perform at the mental health conference, hosted by The Archbishop of Canterbury, which, to me, at least, is a welcome sign that what we are doing has reached a little beyond Harrow.
Two days before the conference is due to take place, I am planning to visit Lambeth Palace to check out the venue – where we’ll be singing, the equipment available, our rehearsal space; all those small and vital details to take away the stress and make sure that the event goes smoothly. At that time, I am told that there may be a special guest attending the conference.
On the coach journey from Harrow to Lambeth Palace I got everyone’s attention and explained that we would be meeting Prince Harry – the coach erupted into cheers and excited chatter.
The event, itself, surpassed all expectations
.We had arranged that the choir would be singing “Something Inside So Strong” by Labi Sifre as he walked in. Prince Harry was quietly friendly, engaging, informal and very happy to shake each person’s hand, posed for photographs and ask their name. He spent time chatting with individuals and towards the end of the session we all gathered round and had a general discussion about the choir, how it makes people feel and the building of a sense of community.
We were thus left in a state of mild shock and euphoria, ready to go out and engage the conference with a tour de force of a performance.
The whole event brought home to me in a very concrete way, the galvanising, powerful effect of the astonishing legacy of the Royal establishment, including the top figure in the Church of England.
Whatever may be written, said, or broadcast about our Royals and establishment figures, however you may view our society, there was, truly, a wonderfully positive effect on me and everyone present. We went away enriched by the contact and time spent there.