Katherine Jenkins described Queen Elizabeth as ‘very maternal’ as she recalled her many meetings with the late royal before her death last week.
The singer, 42, was selected to record the first recording of God Save The King by BBC Radio 4 on Friday from a rural church in Sussex.
The words of the British national anthem have changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘King’ in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday as her son King Charles III now assumes the throne.
Reflecting: Katherine Jenkins described Queen Elizabeth as ‘very maternal’ as she recalled her many meetings with the late royal before her death last week (pictured together in 2009)
Katherine described singing the anthem as ‘very emotional’, as she reminisced on singing the song previously to the Queen.
Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: ‘[The process was] very emotional, especially as I have so many wonderful memories of singing it for Her Majesty over the years and realising that that won’t happen again.’
Katherine was in a small church in a remote area of Sussex recording when she received the call from the BBC.
Honour: The singer, 42, was selected to record the first recording of God Save The King by BBC Radio 4 on Friday from a rural church in Sussex (pictured in 2017)
The opera singer had a moment of silence and prayer before recording the song, singing from the heart in this incredibly emotional time.
The anthem closed the extended World at One programme on BBC Radio 4 on Friday afternoon.
Elsewhere in the chat, Katherine described her admiration of the Queen, after meeting her many times over the years, after first singing for her in her early 20s.
She said: ‘The more I met her, the more I learnt about her work ethic, her faith, and her dedication to the country and the Commonwealth. I think that made it harder to sing because I’d feel even more nervous because I admired her so much.’
‘Emotional’: Katherine described singing the anthem as ‘very emotional’, as she reminisced on singing the song previously to the Queen (pictured in 2017)
Describing her impressions of Her Majesty, she said: ‘She always felt vey maternal. And I think she had a really good sense of understanding how people might be feelings. She read situations really well, and I think that’s sort of a gift in itself. She also had a great sense of humour in a really quick way. I definitely remember those one-liners. You’d come away and think, “That was brilliant”.’
Katherine has sang the national anthem many times and said on Friday she will always ‘cherish’ her memories of singing it for the Queen.
She said: ‘I have only the fondest memories singing the national anthem for Her Majesty The Queen, memories I will always cherish.
Long live the King: The words of the British national anthem have changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘King’ in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday as her son King Charles III now assumes the throne
‘While my heart is heavy with grief; Singing this today, for the first time is a huge honour and was sung with the belief that King Charles III’s reign will be happy and glorious!’
Katherine penned a heartfelt tribute to the Queen on Thursday, writing on Instagram: ‘On this heartbreaking day, my thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with King Charles, the Royal family and with my fellow Brits & commonwealth members around the world.
‘Your Majesty, thank you for all you have given. You have been a selfless constant in our lives, knowing just what to say in our darkest hours.
Katherine said: ‘Singing this today, for the first time is a huge honour and was sung with the belief that King Charles III’s reign will be happy and glorious!’
‘You inspired us with your dignity, your duty and your grace. I am proud to have lived during your reign, honoured to have sung for you and privileged to have known you. Rest in peace & rise in glory ma’am.’
The Queen’s son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III, as the world grieves his mother, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral on Thursday after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family.
At 6.30pm Thursday her death was confirmed. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: ‘The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow’.
Heartbreaking: All Her Majesty’s children had rushed to Balmoral on Thursday after doctors became ‘concerned’ for her health. Hours later she died, surrounded by her family
The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing.
As her son accedes to the throne, there will also be a celebration of her historic 70-year reign that saw her reach her Platinum Jubilee this year – a landmark unlikely to be reached again by a British monarch.
Charles, the King, said: ‘The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
‘We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
‘During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.’
Mourning: The Queen’s death will see Britain and her Commonwealth realms enter into a ten-day period of mourning as millions of her subjects in the UK and abroad come to terms with her passing
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