Our Royal Connection

The origins of the Royal Choral Society date back to the opening ceremony for the Royal Albert Hall in 1871, attended by Queen Victoria who dedicated the hall to the memory of her late husband Prince Albert. Following a subsequent concert at the Hall some three months later it was felt that a resident choir was needed, and by early 1872 the choir, with Charles Gounod as conductor, was 1000 strong. The choir’s first concert (as the ‘Royal Albert Hall Choral Society’) was held in the Royal Albert Hall on 8 May 1872, with Queen Victoria in attendance.

In 1888 the choir was granted permission by Queen Victoria to change its name to the ‘Royal Choral Society’, and the queen became the choir’s first Patron; every succeeding monarch has taken on the patronage of the choir and, since 1883, the role of President has also been taken by a senior member of the Royal Family, with HRH The Duke of Kent the current incumbent. 

As a ‘royal’ choir, the Royal Choral Society has been privileged to be involved in many important national events, from the opening of both the Royal Albert Hall in 1871 and the Royal Festival Hall in 1951, to fundraising concerts for the First World War and celebrations of both Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. 

The choir has been honoured to lead moving national remembrance commemorations in recent years, including the 50th anniversary of VE Day, the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, the 70th anniversary of the Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ evacuation, and the centenary of the First World War in 2014 with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall, which raised over £100,000 for the charity Veterans Aid. The choir also performs in the annual Beating Retreat ceremony at Horse Guards Parade, where the salute is taken by a senior member of the Royal Family.

Our President, HRH The Duke of Kent is a regular guest at our concerts.

8 May 2024: We are delighted to announce that HM King Charles III will take on the Patronage of the Royal Choral Society following the death of our former patron HM the late Queen Elizabeth II. This follows a review of patronages undertaken by Buckingham Palace, and an announcement to mark the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ coronation.