King Charles has been kept firmly in the loop as a royal festive favourite faces an unexpected dose of disharmony.
The carol controversy has thrown this year’s service into doubt, leaving royal aides quietly humming “Silent Night” for all the wrong reasons.
The trouble traces back to around three years ago, when Rev Canon Paul Williams who also happens to be the King’s domestic chaplain took over as rector of St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate.
With fresh vision and perhaps a little too much gusto, he set out to modernise the volunteer choir, commissioning an external review to “raise standards.”
Enter Tansy Castledine, a former director of music at Peterborough Cathedral, who spent 18 months assessing the 25 member group.
According to the 16 page report, choir members showed “no knowledge of music or singing technique” and had a “limited repertoire.”
The fallout has been nothing short of operatic, with resignations, walkouts, and now a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the Christmas service that has, for decades, serenaded the royal family and locals alike.
As one palace insider quipped, “It’s not the first time there’s been drama at Sandringham but this might be the first to involve a choir instead of corgis.”
The critique formed part of Rev Canon Paul Williams’s ambitious modernisation drive, which included plans for social media spotlights and a refreshed musical direction. But not everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet.
Dr Claire Stewart, who led music at St Mary Magdalene Church for 13 years, strongly opposed the new approach.
As tensions swelled, harmony gave way to hard feelings. Dr Stewart took sick leave earlier this year before officially resigning, saying only, “It was a pleasure and an honour to be a part of the Sunday worship of the Royal Family, who I always found very supportive.”
Rev Williams, acknowledging the “mixed emotions,” gave parents a deadline to confirm whether their young singers were staying on a move that hit a few sour notes among parishioners.
King Charles has been kept apprised of the choir controversy that’s causing a royal-sized headache ahead of Christmas, while the Bishop of Norwich is also said to be monitoring the situation closely.
Local tempers, meanwhile, are anything but serene. One parish insider told LBC, “Everyone’s deeply upset.
I’m distressed, angry and disappointed especially as this should be such a special time of year with Advent and Christmas just around the corner.” It seems even the holiest of seasons can’t drown out the sound of discord.
Still, amid the musical mayhem, the Diocese of Norwich insists the show will go on. A spokeswoman reassured parishioners that several dedicated singers have continued to perform at services across the Sandringham churches, keeping the hymns and hope alive.
“There remains a full schedule of services planned at Sandringham to celebrate the joy of Christmas,” she added, sounding determined to keep the holiday spirit from hitting a minor key.
