Classical singing icon Katherine Jenkins to sing at Sandringham

Classical singer Katherine Jenkins has performed for the Pope and racked up royal fans, and now she’s set to wow audiences in Norfolk this weekend.

Katherine, who has been crowned the biggest selling classical artist of the century, will perform an evening of spectacular live music at the Sandringham Estate to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Katherine said:“I’m very much looking forward to visiting Sandringham.

“I love the summer concerts, they’re always just such a celebration. It’s lovely to be out in a beautiful location with a full orchestra and to see people really enjoying themselves after everything that’s happened.”

It was inevitable that the lockdown memories would come flooding back during our conversation, as this summer is the first time many artists like Katherine have been able to perform in front of large crowds again.

However, Katherine explained how she sees her concerts as a way to help people to move on from the past couple of years.

“I think going through the pandemic and doing all the at-home concerts, you wondered if you’d ever get back to seeing people face-to-face again,” says the 41-year-old singer.

“I think being out there now is kind of putting all of that behind us and giving people a really good night out.

“I want to just, for a couple of hours, entertain them, make them have a fabulous night, because I think that’s what’s deserved.”

Katherine, who will be performing alongside the Military Wives Choirs at Sandringham, admits that even though she loves performing her outdoor concerts, she’s a little envious of the crowd who get to sit back and enjoy the show.

“I think we do these kinds of concerts really well in the UK,” she says proudly.

“People seem to really go for it and get in the spirit. To see people get in the mood, come prepared - they might be sat there with a bottle of wine or a picnic - I actually look out and think, that looks quite nice. I’d like to be doing that!”

While we joke that perhaps Katherine might get a chance to sneak out to watch a concert this summer, it seems unlikely as her schedule is jam-packed - particularly with a right royal performance just around the corner.

“This year, with all the jubilee celebrations that are happening, we’ve got a lot of excitement,” Katherine says.

“It’s so nice to have been invited to perform at Sandringham,” she says, her voice full of joy.

“I had the most amazing experience a few weeks back of getting to sing at the Platinum Jubilee Concert at Windsor that sort of kicked off the celebrations. It was so amazing, it was so emotional, and if that’s a sign of what we’ve got to come in terms of the big jubilee weekend then I think it’s going to be really special.”

Of course, fans should expect nothing less than the best for a royal performance.

“I’ll be working out a special concert opener with the full orchestra, tailoring the music to a jubilee celebration,” she explains.

“I think we’re all going to want to be involved in some way, to just get in the spirit and celebrate the historic 70 years on the throne.”

It sounds like Katherine will be delivering performances fit for royalty all summer long, as she is currently working out a setlist that will win over all sorts of crowds, from lifelong fans of classical music to those making their proms debut.

“I’m going to be singing songs that are from all my albums, but with all the proms stuff at the end,” she says.

“I’m from such a normal background in Wales, I didn’t grow up in a household that listened to opera or classical music.

“Whether it’s Phantom of the Opera or the Greatest Showman, or a classical version of a pop song like I Will Always Love You, there are so many great pieces out there that sound amazing with a full orchestra. By the time we get to the end of the evening we’ve usually got the audience singing along as well and I love that!”

As we chat about Katherine’s incredible career, from her busy summer schedule to her string of number one albums, West End shows and landmark concerts, it begs the question - what’s next?

“You know, I still look at everything and can’t quite believe that it’s happened, so I always feel greedy to ask for any more,” says the Mezzo Soprano singer. “If I can just keep singing, doing the live shows and summer concerts - I’ve still got two little ones at home, so if I can just keep doing that whilst being mummy, then that’s more than I could ever wish for.”

And will Katherine’s children, aged four and six, be cheering her on at her summer concerts?

“They’ll be there waving the flags!” Katherine laughs. “They love it. In fact, my daughter wants to be on stage with me, so she’ll definitely be there cheering me on. She would love nothing more than to be on the stage with me at Sandringham, I’m sure!”

Katherine Jenkins will be at the Sandringham Estate on Friday, June 3.

Get tickets here.