Prince of Wales appoints new Royal Harpist

Hannah Stone, 24, is the fourth person to hold the title of Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales.

She will make her official debut tonight at a concert for Prince Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at their home in Llwynywernod near Llandovery.

Originally from Mumbles, Swansea, Stone studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and then the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was a regular winner at the Urdd Eisteddfod and the International Eisteddfod in her youth.

Stone commented on the appointment:
"I am honoured to have been appointed Official Harpist to HRH the Prince of Wales. I am proud to be promoting the harp, a central part of our Welsh heritage and to be following the fantastic example set by Claire [Jones].”

The role of Official Harpist dates back a few centuries but was discontinued during the reign of Queen Victoria. The Prince of Wales restored the tradition in 2000 to foster and encourage musical talent in Wales. Hannah Stone is the fourth harpist to fill the position, following in the footsteps of Catrin Finch, Jemima Phillips and, most recently, Claire Jones, who played at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding reception.