During their annual Wales Week, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are visiting different communities and organisations across Wales. This afternoon, they visited The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to celebrate the conservatoire and the Welsh National Opera.
The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama opened in 1949 as the Cardiff College of Music, first calling Cardiff Castle Home. It moved into specifically-built accommodations on the grounds of Bute Park afterwards, it’s name changed to the Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1970, and received its Royal title during the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
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The Prince of Wales has been the Patron of The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama since 1999, and now serves as President. At his last visit to the College, students gave a performance to mark his 70th birthday. Students will typically give a performance for the couple at their Welsh home during Wales Week each year, but unfortunately least year, the couple was unable to visit Wales. This year, The Prince and The Duchess visited the College instead.
The visit also marks the 75th anniversary of the Welsh National Opera. Prince Charles is also Patron of the Opera. When it first formed in 1946, it was an amateur ensemble but by 1973, it was a completely professional company.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were treated to a performance by his own Official Harpist, Alis Hughes. It was a particularly fitting performance, as Hughes is an alumna of the College. The couple looked to enjoy the performance.
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The Duchess also visited the Richard Burton Theatre, where she met with members of Flying Bedroom Productions. A group of students have worked together to create an immersive theatre group specifically for children; it includes acting, movement/dance, and musical performance. Camilla also watched part of a production, The Flying Bedroom. She also visited the costume department, to see some of their costumes and discuss their work.
