Never in my lifetime have I and millions of people felt more overwhelmed by the inevitable.
The sheer force of the blow from the death of a monarch who had reigned supremely and with wisdom and compassion for seven decades is simply devastating. And yet, at the same time, we all must embrace the fact that this is a time for cheers as well as tears.
In Charles III we are fortunate to have a monarch who, having served the longest apprenticeship in the history of the Crown, is superbly equipped to deal with the challenges of being a modern monarch for all our communities and faiths.
My initial connection with our new King goes back 40 years to when, at the age of 20, I became a Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador.
But the first of what became numerous meetings with our new sovereign happened at a Hyde Park concert in 2003 when then Prince Charles popped backstage to meet my urban music act Big Brovaz. The group’s J-Rock showed Prince Charles his stomach tattoo of the word “troublesome”, which raised a royal eyebrow.
Prince Charles GettyImages-1064390874
Charles III
I met Prince Charles again through music in 2010 at the London Palladium with the hip-hop trio N-Dubz before they performed at that year’s Royal Variety performance. His understated greeting to the group was simply: “What are you guys doing here? Are you hip-hopping about?”
I first met the Queen when welcoming her to Henley Business School in 2012 where I am an Honorary Professor.
We had been given the honour of hosting a three counties diamond jubilee royal garden party. The Queen arrived on her Royal Barge.
For the few minutes we chatted I was the focus of her complete attention. She was the grandest amongst us that day, but in truth the humblest. Her sense of mischief was never far away.
GettyImages-1241053062
Queen Elizabeth II
For example, she asked me on that occasion: “What does an Honorary Professor actually do?” Half an hour later I was inadvertently introduced to the Queen again, to which she responded with warmth and that radiant smile: “I have already met you.”
It was a day I will remember for the rest of my life and seems even more poignant now.
I have never met Prince William formally but did meet his wife — when she was still Kate Middleton — fleetingly back in 2007 at the launch of Simon Sebag Montefiore’s Young Stalin at Asprey.
Previously, I had seen close-up what just how much fun Kate is, as she danced to Jamelia performing Superstar in Hyde Park, followed by my arranging for Jamelia to sit next to our new King.
My long-time clients, the wonderful Gospel Kingdom Choir, performed at the Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle. The couple could not have been more welcoming and gracious. I have also had the pleasure of meeting Meghan a few times both in the UK and Australia, and almost worked with her.
When she was a successful actress, Meghan visited InterTalent to discuss representation and opportunities in the UK. Availability, due to her commitments to the TV series Suits, made it too difficult for her to work in the UK.
What I can say though, from the conversations we had, interest was phenomenal.
If Meghan had not married Prince Harry, I know she would have had a hugely successful acting career in the UK.
Having met Princess Diana and Meghan, I can see that Harry may well have, like many men, married someone who reflects the qualities of his mother.
Not only did I meet Princess Diana through her patronage of the Chicken Shed Theatre company, but I also wrote at her behest the words for the forward she gave me for a book, Paula’s Story, which tells the story of one of Chicken Shed’s most inspirational performers. Meghan’s ability to touch and achieve empathy with many of those she meets is akin to the qualities of Harry’s beloved mother.
At the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards on 21 November, we will be presenting the inaugural Variety Club Duke of Edinburgh Gold Heart Award.
Only three days before her death, I received a personal letter from the Queen’s private secretary advising me that “the Queen was particularly pleased to note that during the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, a special award will be presented in memory of the late Duke of Edinburgh”.
She was wonderful to the very end.
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE is Chairman of The InterTalent Rights Group
