Latest news with #RestoreTheMusic
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton extremely proud of Louis' sweet act to surprise Charlotte
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, asked for Prince Louis' support in a bid to surprise Princess Charlotte and, although Louis is often seen being playful and cheeky, he ws determined to help his mum The Princess of Wales was reportedly very proud of little Prince Louis as he was able to keep a secret in order to surprise Princess Charlotte. Princess Kate, 43, told her youngest child she had arranged a secret ballet performance for his sister at the Together At Christmas carol service last year. It has now emerged Louis, then aged just six, managed to keep it quiet from Charlotte to ensure his sibling was wowed on the night of the event. The dancers were part of several acts to impress guests at Westminster Abbey, where the Princess of Wales hosts the function every year. In 2024, Kate asked Lady Gabriella Windsor, 45, for advice on what to include on the running order - after Lady Windsor lost her husband Thomas Kingston earlier that year. But, just like 10-year-old Charlotte, Lady Windsor was unaware ballet dancers were to perform at the event. Lady Windsor, known fondly as Ella, said: "There were surprises for everyone, even the people involved." Speaking to HELLO! Magazine, Lady Windsor continued: "It was a very special idea of hers to include ballet dancers at the concert – I didn't know that there would be children as well as adult dancers, all brightly and beautifully dressed as they danced through the abbey. It was a wonderful gathering of creative people, and it was extremely moving. I loved it and I was really touched to be asked. It was very kind of her." And the publication details how Louis was tasked to keep shtum so Charlotte could be dazzled by the performers. The six-year-old boy, known for his cheeky moments at royal public appearances, was true to his word. The article in HELLO! reads: "Despite working closely with the Princess of Wales, not even Ella knew everything about the finer details of the big event before the actual night. Kate told Prince Louis that she had arranged a secret ballet performance for Princess Charlotte to enjoy, and was extremely proud that her son, then six, had managed to keep it quiet from his big sister until the evening of the event." Lady Windsor, a huge music enthusiast, put forward names of artists for Princess Kate to consider. Two of these; Gregory Porter and Rosey Chan; were particularly impressive, Ella told the publication. She added: "Two of the school bands played Christmas classics to guests as they arrived at the Abbey which the guests loved. The students also really enjoyed it... As did Gregory Porter and Rosey Chan, who were some of the other artists I put forward. It was very positive all around." The royal, who is the King's second cousin, recently became patron of the charity Restore The Music, which supports state school music departments in the UK.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Lady Gabriella Windsor opens up about Kate Middleton's touching gesture
Lady Gabriella Windsor experienced grief after her husband Thomas Kingston who died aged 45 in February 2024 - but Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was a huge support Lady Gabriella Windsor has praised the the Princess of Wales for her "very thoughtful" gesture following the death of Lady Windsor's husband Thomas Kingston. Lady Windsor, fondly known as Ella, suffered the loss of Mr Kingston, who in February last year was found dead with a "traumatic head wound" and a gun near his body in an outbuilding of his parents' Cotswolds home. In the following months, the Princess of Wales supported Ella, daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and invited the 45-year-old woman to advise on her Together At Christmas carol service last year. "It was such an honour to be involved, and very thoughtful and kind-hearted of the Princess to include me [in the carol concert]," Lady Windsor told HELLO! magazine this week. "I was very touched. She was so lovely to work with, always gracious, very creative and with so much vision and passion for the many charities and causes she supports." Ella, who is King Charles ' second cousin, described the annual Christmas gathering as a "brilliant idea". She told HELLO!: "The Princess's carol concert is such a brilliant event and idea, to thank and shine a light on hundreds of the most outstanding charities in the UK." In December, Lady Windsor, who is a singer and songwriter, warned about the effects of drugs used to treat mental health problems as a coroner ruled her husband stopped taking his medication in the days leading to his death. The coroner ruled Mr Kingston's death was that of suicide. Since her grief, the royal has also been using music to inspire young people and as a tool to help others. She became patron of the charity Restore The Music, which supports state school music departments. Some of its musicians performed at the Princess of Wales's concert last December. "Music can do so much to help build confidence, imagination and social skills - all of which are, I believe, essential to learning," said Lady Windsor in a statement on the Restore The Music website. "On a recent visit to a school served by Restore the Music I was dazzled by the student performances, Rachmaninoff on piano, jazz saxophone, drums and Spanish guitar. They transported us to another place - far from a school classroom. "What a stunning snapshot of talent, teaching and world class instruments, funded by Restore the Music. It is such an honour to serve as Patron to this exceptional charity which creates opportunities for children to thrive through the power of music." Lady Windsor is the King's second cousin. They are both great-grandchildren of King George V.
