Artist

The Musical Talents of the Royal Windsors

Published January 7, 2024

While the Royal Family is not widely recognized for their musical abilities, there are Windsor members who have displayed impressive musical talents. Despite being more associated with their love for horses, some royals have indeed mastered the art of music, often to the public's pleasant surprise.

King Charles

At the ripe age of 74, King Charles has shown considerable support for the arts, including music. He learned to play the cello, attempting to perform with his school's orchestra during his time at Trinity College, Cambridge. Although Charles admits he played poorly, the experience remains a fond memory for him, especially as he loved the challenge of keeping pace with a recording conducted by Herbert von Karajan. His royal pursuits didn't stop there; in addition to the cello, King Charles has also dabbled with the trumpet and piano, and even tried his hand at conducting during a visit to the Royal College of Music.

The Queen and Princess Margaret

Both Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret took piano lessons as children, with the late Princess Margaret developing into a competent player. Margaret's passion for the performing arts led her to become a patron of The Royal Ballet. In contrast, Queen Elizabeth II preferred outdoor activities over public musical performances. Princess Margaret maintained her connection to music, frequently enjoying duet performances at parties with her former partner, Roddy Llewellyn.

Catherine, Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has showcased her piano skills in various public events, including a surprise performance at the Eurovision finals and a duet during a Christmas event at Westminster Abbey. She also plays the flute and was a keen singer and musician during her school years. Catherine's children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are following in her musical steps, each learning to play instruments.

Prince William

Prince William has also shown a talent for music, revealing he played the bass guitar, piano, trumpet, and drums in his youth. While he enjoys music from a variety of genres, his royal duties have largely restricted his musical pursuits.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry, although depicted with a guitar in a Netflix docuseries, has stirred some debate over his actual playing abilities among professional musicians and spectators.

Duchess of Kent

The Duchess of Kent has an extensive musical background, missing out on a place at the Royal Academy of Music, and later becoming a music teacher. She founded a charity to support musically gifted children from financially challenged backgrounds.

Meghan Markle

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, apparently has a background in playing several musical instruments, including the guitar and drums, as mentioned in an old CV from her acting days. She has also displayed her singing talent in school performances.

music, royal, instrument