Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales

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The Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales, or King's Harpist, is a position within the Royal Household of the United Kingdom.

Contents

History

The harp is an important national instrument in Wales. The role of Official Harpist had fallen out of use since it was last granted to John Thomas in 1871 by Queen Victoria. But in 2000, the then Prince of Wales restored the role 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 harp maker Victor Salvi of the Italian harp makers Salvi Harps. The harp is used by the official harpist. [1]

Following Prince Charles's accession to the throne in 2022, the role has been referred to as King's Harpist, and is currently held by Mared Pugh Evans. [2]

List of official harpists

References

  1. ↑ "TRH continue their annual tour of Wales". Prince of Wales website. 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  2. 1 2 "Presenting the King's Harpist: RWCMD grad Mared Pugh-Evans" . Retrieved 18 April 2025.
  3. ↑ Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th ed., 1954
  4. 1 2 "HRH appoints a new official harpist from Wales". Prince of Wales website. 2004-07-14. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  5. ↑ "Claire Jones to become new Official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales" (Press release). Prince of Wales website. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Prince Charles visits mid Wales and unveils new harpist". BBC News. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Hannah Stone becomes new official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales" (Press release). Prince of Wales website. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  8. ↑ Ward, Victoria (8 July 2015). "Royal harpist who ran off with opera singer is replaced". The Telegraph. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Anne Denholm appointed as Prince of Wales' royal harpist". BBC News. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "New royal harpist for Prince of Wales Alis Huws is 'delighted'". BBC News. 2 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
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