Katherine Jenkins OBE

Born in Neath, Wales, on 29 June 1980, Katherine grew up in a close-knit family with her parents, Selwyn and Susan, and her sister Laura. Her early years were filled with music; she began singing in her local church choir and quickly showed a remarkable natural gift. As a young chorister, she joined the Royal School of Church Music Cathedral Singers and went on to win the prestigious St Cecilia Award, the organisation’s highest honour for female choristers. She also sang with the National Youth Choir of Wales and twice won the BBC Radio 2 Welsh Choirgirl of the Year competition.

Katherine’s musical promise was nurtured alongside a disciplined education. At Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School and later at Gorseinon College, she excelled academically, earning top grades in her GCSEs and A Levels, while performing lead roles in school productions such as Calamity Jane and Guys and Dolls. But music was always at the heart of her ambitions. At seventeen, she won a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she trained under Beatrice Unsworth and graduated with honours.

Her break came when she recorded a dance remix of The Flower Duet, which found its way to Universal Classics and Jazz. The record label was so impressed that they offered her a six-album contract – the most lucrative classical recording deal ever granted at that time.

Her debut album, Premiere (2004), made history, becoming the fastest-selling classical album of all time by a UK artist. The album’s success catapulted her into the public eye and heralded the arrival of a new kind of classical star – one who could blend traditional repertoire with accessibility and glamour. Her follow-up albums, Second Nature and Living a Dream, both topped the classical charts and brought her two consecutive Classic BRIT Awards for Album of the Year. By the age of 26, Katherine Jenkins had sold over four million albums and had firmly established herself as a national treasure.

Throughout the mid-2000s, Katherine’s rise was extraordinary. Her blend of operatic arias, hymns, musical theatre songs, and popular classics found audiences well beyond traditional classical circles. She performed “Abide With Me” before more than 70,000 fans at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, sang at the 60th Anniversary of VE Day in Trafalgar Square, and became a familiar presence at major national events, often lending her voice to moments of reflection and pride.

Katherine’s dedication to the British Armed Forces became a defining element of her career. She travelled to Iraq and Afghanistan to sing for troops stationed overseas, bringing comfort and a touch of home during the Christmas seasons. Her performances of “Amazing Grace” at Live 8 Berlin and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall further cemented her reputation as a voice for hope and unity.

Her subsequent albums, including Serenade (2006), Rejoice (2007) and Sacred Arias (2008), continued her chart success and showcased a growing artistic range. Collaborations with songwriters such as Gary Barlow and producers from across genres allowed her to bring a contemporary sensibility to classical music, while remaining true to her roots. In 2008, she signed a landmark £5.8 million deal with Warner Music — the largest classical recording contract in history — and released Believe (2009), an album that featured duets with Andrea Bocelli and performances with André Rieu and Chris Botti. The record’s title reflected both a personal and artistic statement: that faith, optimism, and perseverance are at the core of her artistry.

As her international profile grew, Katherine’s career expanded into concert tours, television appearances, and humanitarian work. She has performed at the Sydney Opera House, the Dubai Opera House, the Mariinsky Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall, and has sung for His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), Pope John Paul II, and numerous world leaders. Her ability to connect with audiences from intimate church recitals to global broadcasts, has made her one of the most recognisable classical voices of her generation.

Katherine’s television appearances have introduced her to millions more. She has graced the stage at The Royal Variety Performance, appeared as Abigail Pettigrew in the Doctor Who Christmas Special A Christmas Carol, and reached a new American audience as runner-up on Dancing with the Stars in 2012. She later presented BBC’s Songs of Praise, a natural home for her blend of faith and music.

Her artistry has continued to evolve through a wide range of collaborations, from her theatrical turn as Julie Jordan in Carousel at the English National Opera to her Christmas concerts and film performances. Her Katherine Jenkins Christmas Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall in 2020 brought audiences together during the challenges of the pandemic, and her feature film debut in Minamata (2020), alongside Johnny Depp, showcased her versatility as a performer.

Returning to Decca Records, Katherine released Home Sweet Home (2014), followed by Celebration (2016) – a joyful tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, and Guiding Light (2018), an album inspired by faith, family, and gratitude. Guiding Light topped the UK Classical Chart, making her the first classical artist in history to achieve thirteen number-one albums. In 2017, she was named by Classic FM as the best-selling classical artist of the past 25 years.

In 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Katherine was asked by the BBC to record the first performance of God Save the King for His Majesty King Charles III – a moment of great historical and emotional significance. Her dignified and heartfelt rendition marked a new chapter for the nation and underscored her position as one of Britain’s most trusted and beloved voices in times of national remembrance and celebration.