Katherine Jenkins says it was ‘an honour’ to sing on the first recording of God Save The King

Katherine Jenkins has 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, 42, 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.

The Welsh opera singer appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about the ‘honour’ of being asked to record the song 

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.

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.’

Katherine said the memory of the Queen she cherished most was her final performance for the late monarch at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June

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.

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.

King Charles III ascended the throne today at a ceremony taking place in St James’s Palace.