4th June 2007
The Prince of Wales has appointed a new official Harpist today, continuing His Royal Highness's revival of an ancient Welsh musical tradition.
The harp is an important national instrument in Wales and, although the role of Harpist to His Royal Highness was discontinued during the reign of Queen Victoria, The Prince of Wales restored the position in 2000 in order to foster and encourage young musical talent in the Principality.
Claire Jones, the third Harpist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will make her debut at a black-tie dinner for Welsh Assembly Members, hosted by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Cardiff Castle on Wednesday 6th June.
The very first Harpist to His Royal Highness, Catrin Finch, has gone on to achieve international success after holding the role from 2000 to 2004.
She said that the role had raised the profile of the harp in Wales and around the world: “It has opened up so many doors that no other thing could have done for me.”
The Harpist to His Royal Highness before Claire Jones was Jemima Phillips, from Ebbw Vale in South Wales who held the role from 2004 to 2007.
Jemima played at a number of special occasions during her time in the role including the wedding reception of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at Windsor Castle in 2005.
On being appointed this week, the new Harpist Claire Jones said: “I am extremely honoured to have been given this prestigious role as Harpist to His Royal Highness to The Prince of Wales.
“I am very proud to be able to promote the harp as an important part of our culture and heritage in Wales, and to continue Catrin and Jemima’s fantastic work in celebrating the harp and harp music at official royal functions. I also hope I can continue to visit schools during my term of appointment and inspire young people to learn this very special instrument.”
Claire, 22, from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, is currently undertaking a BMus Honours degree at the Royal College of Music, London, with Professor Ieuan Jones.
She is due to join the Royal Academy of Music as a Postgraduate Scholar in September, where she will study for two years under the direction of Skaila Kanga.
The Prince of Wales’s Harp
In July 2006, The Prince was presented with a beautiful gold leaf harp from renowned harpist Victor Salvi, the founder of the Italian harp makers, Salvi Harps during Their Royal Highnesses's annual tour of Wales.
Victor Salvi, founder of Salvi Harps, and his wife Julia, President of the Victor Salvi Foundation, presented the new harp at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in North Wales.
Harps are traditionally made to reflect their owners, and the Salvi harp continues this tradition. It incorporates the motifs of The Prince of Wales's feathers, the symbol of the daffodil and a dragon, a powerful symbol of Wales.
The new harp is kept at Clarence House and is used by the Harpist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales when she plays for The Prince of Wales.
Click here to read a press release about the appointment of Claire Jones as Harpist to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
