Choir boys 'super excited' over royal wedding role

Updated

Two choir boys who have the nerve-wracking task of singing during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding have branded the experience a "once in a lifetime opportunity".

Leo Mills, 11, and nine-year-old Nathan Mcharo spoke of how they were "super excited" ahead of performing in front of a global television audience of millions.

Leo Mills (left), aged 11 and Nathan Mcharo, aged 9, will sing for Harry and Meghan at the royal wedding (Steve Parsons/PA)
Leo Mills (left), aged 11 and Nathan Mcharo, aged 9, will sing for Harry and Meghan at the royal wedding (Steve Parsons/PA)

The pair are among 12 young choristers who will be singing in the Choir of St George's Chapel at the wedding this weekend.

Leo said of first joining choir: "I knew that we sang for the Queen every Easter and other occasions but I didn't think we'd sing at any royal weddings."

Nathan Mcharo and Leo Mills are among 12 choirboys who form part of the Choir of St George's Chapel (Steve Parsons/PA)
Nathan Mcharo and Leo Mills are among 12 choirboys who form part of the Choir of St George's Chapel (Steve Parsons/PA)

He added: "I'm super excited. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. If it's handed to you, you take it. You don't shy away from it.

"We've been rehearsing often for the last three or four weeks."

His family and friends will be watching him on television as he performs in Windsor.

"They've all been texting me, saying 'we'll make sure we will be on the sofa in the sitting room at the TV by 12 o'clock on Saturday to watch you'," he said.

Harry and Meghan have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service (Alexi Lubomirski/PA)
Harry and Meghan have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service (Alexi Lubomirski/PA)

Leo's fellow chorister Nathan admitted he was nervous, but was certain that the choir would perform well.

"I'm really excited and I think that I'm really lucky because not many people get to sing at such a special event," he said.

"I've got a bit of nerves but that's all right because we're confident."

The boys, from St George's School in the grounds of Windsor Castle, sing in up to eight services a week.

 St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle where Harry and Meghan will wed (PA)
St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle where Harry and Meghan will wed (PA)

The Choir of St George's Chapel was founded in 1348 and is made up of 23 choristers from St George's School, and 12 lay clerks singing alto, tenor and bass.

Lay clerks - adult professional singers - live with their families in the Horseshoe Cloister, just to the west of the Chapel.

The very youngest choristers are probationers and do not sing at all services and will not be singing at the royal wedding.

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