Yorkshire-born soprano Lesley Garrett has been impressing music lovers with her incredible voice for over four decades.
She’s sung for some highly influential people along the way, one of whom happens to be none other than Her Majesty The Queen.
As a big admirer of the Queen, Lesley is thrilled to be featuring on the Platinum Jubilee Anthem, which she recorded alongside Rodney Earl Clarke and The London Community Gospel Choir to commemorate The Queen’s record-breaking 70 years on the British throne.
“I have enormous respect for the Queen and for what she’s done for our country,” Lesley smiles, “so it was fantastic to be asked to take part in an anthem dedicated to her.”
Lesley has sung for royalty on numerous occasions.
“The first time I met The Queen was when I performed at the Royal Variety Performance in 1992 and I was pregnant with my son Jeremy, who is now 29.
“The second time, I was performing a Pacific Rim Recital Tour while the Queen was in Seoul withPrince Philip. I was asked by the British Council to make a detour to sing for her at a huge gala event and reception the Korean people were throwing for her birthday.
When I’d finished, 40 wonderful, and very well behaved, Korean children joined me on stage to sing Happy Birthday to Her Majesty. The Queen really seemed to be moved by the gesture and thanked me with such kindness and grace afterwards.”
Lesley admits seeing the long hours the Queen put in during that trip shifted her perspective on the royals. “My respect for The Queen only grew from that visit. The amount of business their hard work generated for the UK was extraordinary. I think even people who aren’t necessarily huge fans of the monarchy have the utmost respect for the Queen because she has devoted her whole life to working for the interests of the UK and the Commonwealth.”
Lesley was awarded a CBE for her services to music in 2002, which she collected from HRH. It was a moment of great pride shared at the Palace with her parents and her husband Peter. So, does it feel strange that she’s now
a familiar face to one of the most famous women in the world?
“I’m sure she only knows it’s me because she’s been well briefed,” the mum-of-two says modestly. “She’s got such a great sense of humour and her ability to make people laugh probably helps those around her to feel at ease.”
While Her Majesty has lived an unbelievably full life, Lesley’s own journey has been far from dull. From the Royal Opera Company to Strictly Come Dancing and being a panellist on Loose Women, her career has kept her on her toes, and sky-rocketed in the late Nineties when she landed her own BBC2 series, Lesley Garrett Tonight, which was recommissioned twice.
“After I met my doctor husband Peter in 1990, on a blind date no less, my life exploded into a fabulous period of huge creativity. I signed my first record deal and appeared on my first TV programme, a Bruce Forsyth Christmas Special, the same week I met my husband Peter. Those three things totally changed my future.”
While life was pretty much non-stop, Leslie reveals she loved every minute. “I’d make an opera and then I’d record an album and go on tour. Then maybe I’d make a television series and then I’d have a baby, and then it was repeat, repeat. Although I stopped at two babies, who came with me everywhere!"
While Lesley, who’s also mum to Chloe (27) has some very impressive showbiz achievements under her belt, some people may be surprised to learn that she used to have a very different job altogether in her younger years.
“While I was at the Royal Academy of Music I paid my way by modelling for life drawing classes,” she laughs. “It was all very proper and I was very comfortable being naked. It didn’t bother me at all. I’ve been naked on stage too – once in front of royalty. I really couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. Once you’ve been naked a few times you think less of it, although it’s not something I would do these days!”
• Lesley Garrett features on The Jubilee Anthem, available to buy and stream now.