Katherine Jenkins’ Duke of Edinburgh charity award is one of a kind

Katherine Jenkins is set to be given the first – and only – charity award approved by Queen Elizabeth II just before she died in memory of Her Majesty’s late husband Prince Philip. 

The Welsh classical singer, 42, will receive the Variety Club Duke of Edinburgh Gold Heart award at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards in London on November 21, the Daily Mail’s Alison Boshoff revealed.

Following Prince Philip’s death in 2021, Variety, the Children’s Charity, decided to make a special one-off Gold Heart award as a tribute to the royal, who had supported the organisation for more than 70 years.

‘Charity chairman Professor Jonathan Shalit wrote to the Queen on August 1 – and received a reply on August 31 saying Her Majesty was pleased the award was to be given in her husband’s memory. She died eight days later,’ wrote Alison.

The Welsh classical singer (pictured meeting the Queen in 2017) 42, will receive the Variety Club Duke of Edinburgh Gold Heart award at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards in London on November 21, the Daily Mail’s Alison Boshoff revealed

Following Prince Philip’s death in 2021, Variety, the Children’s Charity, decided to make a special one-off Gold Heart award as a tribute to the royal (pictured in 2007), who had supported the organisation for more than 70 years

Variety aims to change the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK. Professor Shalit said: ‘We are delighted and proud to be able to present this award.’ 

In September, Katherine said it was a ‘huge honour’ to be asked to record the first version of the new National Anthem, God Save the King.

The Welsh opera singer told Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shepherd she had actually been recording something for the Queen after receiving the news Her Majesty had died at the age of 96 when she received the call.

‘At first we stopped what we were doing. We had a moment of silence,’ she said.

From a small church in a rural part of Sussex, Katherine was called by BBC Radio 4 asking her to close the World at One programme with God Save the King.

Katherine, who was one of the Queen’s favourite singers and who has performed for the Royal Family several times, said she had to ‘really think’ about the lyrics, which have changed to reflect the new monarch, King Charles III.

In September, Katherine (pictured meeting the Queen in 2009) said it was a ‘huge honour’ to be asked to record the first version of the new National Anthem, God Save the King

She said: ‘I had to really think about the future. To think about all the amazing things that have come in the past with Her Majesty and her incredible reign.

‘But now thinking in this way forward. I think King Charles will be a wonderful King and so I wanted to do the words justice.’

She described the recording as ‘a real moment’ and ‘very emotional’, saying: ‘It was a real honour to be asked to do it.’

Katherine added there were just five people in the church at the time, making it an intimate moment. 

Looking back on all the times she sang for the Queen, Katherine said the most memorable performance was her last, at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London in June 2022.

Belle of the ball! Katherine Jenkins stole the show in a stunning powder blue tulle gown as she joined Kate Silverton at the 10th annual Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Tuesday

She said: ‘I didn’t realise that that was going to be the last time I would sing for her.

‘There was a really lovely moment where she was driving around in the car and as she left, she came out by the stage and I wanted to curtsey for her and she gave me  a little wave.’

Katherine added: ‘I think she was just such an inspirational lady to so many of us in different ways.’

Speaking about her encounters with the new King Charles, Katherine, who has worked with the monarch on charity projects, said he ‘really cares’ about the issues he is involved with.

‘I think he will be a really wonderful King. I have no doubt about that,’ she said.