Her Royal Highness takes particular interest in how music can help young people realise their full potential, as Patron of the Royal Academy of Music and the Cathedral Music Trust.
The Duchess became Royal Patron of the Cathedral Music Trust in January 2022, following a long-standing association with the charity as Patron of its Diamond Fund for Choristers in 2016, which raises funds to ensure that the unique heritage of the UK’s cathedral choirs is accessible to young people from all backgrounds.
The announcement of Her Royal Highness as Patron was made at a special celebratory service of Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the conclusion of the Trust’s Diamond Fund for Choristers campaign.
Through its work, the Trust is dedicated to inspiring more young people from across the UK to experience and benefit from engagement with world-class choral education programmes.
“We are thrilled that Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester is extending her support for talented young singers and cathedral musicians by becoming Royal Patron of the Cathedral Music Trust” – Paul Allwood, Chair of Cathedral Music Trust
In December 2020, The Duchess of Gloucester sent a Christmas message of support to young choristers supported by the Diamond Fund across the UK. The charity offers financial support for young people from all backgrounds to pursue choral training.
For much of 2020, choirs across the UK were unable to practice and perform in person and young choristers have continued their studies remotely. The Duchess stayed in touch with the Diamond Fund as they have continued to promote the benefits of a choral education, including building confidence and teamwork skills.
As Patron of the Friends of St Paul’s Cathedral, Her Royal Highness has also met young music students participating in the St Paul's Cathedral's Music Outreach programme over the years. The scheme helps children to learn to read music and encourages musical aspirations.
The Duchess also regularly undertakes engagements which showcase the power of music for young people.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, The Duchess has kept in touch with her patronages by telephone and video call. As Patron of Music in Hospitals in Care since 1999, Her Royal Highness caught up with the charity in July 2020 to see how they were coping.
The charity, which organises concerts in hospitals and care settings to boost morale and help with patient wellbeing, successfully moved their programme of events online during the pandemic – ensuring their service remained accessible.
