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TAKEN THE WORLD BY STORM: Since their incredible cover of Ben E King’s Stand By Me, The Kingdom Choir have performed at the Pride of Britain Awards

IT COULD BE said that the past 12 months have been a whirlwind for The Kingdom Choir following their memorable performance at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and his bride, Meghan Markle last May.

Things have come full circle since then and the choir have renewed their royal connection by releasing and performing a lullaby, written by member Clinton Jordan, to celebrate the arrival of the couple’s first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

STRONG
It was a fitting musical gift and highlights the choir’s strong and enduring link with the couple. It’s not surprising.

Last year, on May 18, The Kingdom Choir made history when they became the first gospel choir to ever perform at a wedding for a member of Britain’s royal family.

The world was overawed by the choir’s performance of the Ben E King classic Stand By Me, which had been arranged by Mark De-Lisser. 1.9 billion people are reported to have watched their performance live.

Not only did the choir sound good, they looked chic and stylish, the look put together by fashion designer Jeanette Young.

As soon as the wedding was over, the choir enter a media whirlwind. Media outlets from across the world interviewed them, and they were featured in some of the world’s leading programmes.

The British media couldn’t get enough of them, and they were featured in most of the country’s leading newspapers, news programmes and entertainment show.

MEDIA FRENZY: The Kingdom Choir were guests on Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show

One publication even described director Karen Gibson as the Godmother of UK gospel. The group are now one of the most famous choir in the UK, and the most well known British gospel choir in the world.

They were signed to Sony last year, and released a well received album, and their diary has been full with singing engagements throughout Britain and abroad, which has included singing at the Pride of Britain Awards and closing the Invictus Games in Australia.

People not only loved the choir, but they loved Gibson with her distinctive grey hair. They loved her even more when she co-presented an Easter programme for the BBC – and the choir can even currently be seen in an advert for Skoda cars.

The Kingdom Choir recently embarked a UK-wide tour, and will be performing in concert at the Royal Albert Hall on May 19, one year after their Royal wedding gig. It promises to be a special time and will serve as a highlight of what’s been a memorable year.

APPLAUDED
In March, Gibson was the recipient of the Inspirational Woman of the Year award at the Wise Women Awards, an event that recognises the contribution of Christian women in the church and wider society.

She was applauded even before she hit the stage, and during her acceptance speech she alluded to the past 12 months stating: “It’s been an amazing time and it’s all God – it’s all His idea.”

She also shared how God has used her talent over the years to spiritually touch so many lives. There’s no doubt that the choir have been great ambassadors for UK gospel and have given the scene a boost, even if it’s just a feel good factor among fellow gospel artists.

It has shown how the power of gospel music unites communities, and when it’s performed, or that gospel sound is heard, brings pure unadulterated joy.

Visit thekingdomchoir.com for to keep up with the group’s ventures.

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