It was just another usual performance for the Wessex Chamber Choir from Farnham this weekend... and then King Charles turned up to watch!

On Sunday (February 23), the choir had the honour of performing at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, standing in for the regular choir who were on a well-earned break during half term.

The choir's visit took an unexpected turn when, just before the Sunday morning service, it was announced that King Charles would be in attendance.

Despite the surprise, the choir was prepared, having spent the weekend rehearsing under the guidance of their musical director, Oliver Tarney, and alongside Peter Gould, the organist.

Just before the service, the choir was asked to line up outside the quire, awaiting the King's arrival. As King Charles made his way through, he took the time to speak with some choir members.

The service proceeded smoothly, with the choir maintaining their composure and performing as if it were a regular service.

At the service's conclusion, the national anthem God Save the King was sung. A spokesperson for the choir said: “It was amusing to see the surprise on some of the congregation’s faces, as they obviously hadn’t seen the King slip in at the beginning.”

In an interesting twist, it was revealed that the choir had performed two of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford’s canticles in B flat, pieces which King Charles had previously mentioned as a favourite during a television programme.

After the service, the King expressed his appreciation for the choir’s performance.

“The King spoke to one of the clergy and asked them to inform the choir that they had sung ‘very well’,” the spokesperson added.

The Wessex Chamber Choir has been invited back for another weekend of performances, and with King Charles’ apparent interest in their repertoire, the question remains: Will he return? Perhaps next time, he will be accompanied by the Queen.