The coronation guest who was accused of being Meghan Markle in disguise has revealed the truth behind his unique appearance.
Legendary composer Sir Karl Jenkins, whose ‘haunting’ work Tros y Garreg was played at the ceremony, captured viewers’ attention as he sat next to Andrew Lloyd Webber.
After days of wild speculation, the 79-year-old confirmed he wasn’t the duchess in a big white wig and glasses, or a thief in disguise trying to steal the crown jewels.
Sir Karl, who is perhaps best known for composing the song Adeimus, told viewers that he has had his distinguished mustache since he was 18.
As Lord Lloyd Webber tweeted about the matter today, he said: ‘I can confirm it was probably not MM and was carrying no jewels as far as I could see – ALW.’
Composer Sir Karl Jenkins, 79, took to TikTok to tell Coronation viewers that he wasn’t Meghan Markle in disguise and that he’s had his mustache since he was 18
He said: “I was quite surprised that some people thought I was Meghan Markle in disguise. Someone wrote that I was there, whoever I was, to steal the crown jewels.’
He said: “I was quite surprised that some people thought I was Meghan Markle in disguise. Someone wrote that I was there, whoever I was, to steal the crown jewels.’
Sir Karl chuckles and adds, ‘I always look like this and besides this around my neck, which is what you get when you’re knighted – this was around my neck where my tie and coat came over.
‘Oh and my mustache has also been mentioned in The Times – but I’ve had the mustache since I was 18 years old. Then it was very trendy. So that’s me. Nothing sinister or surprising.’
Others online joked about the misunderstanding, saying it was “Tilda Swinton deep in character” or “Wait until the polyjuice [a transforming potion from Harry Potter] wear’.
Many agreed that the off-the-cuff remark was one of the best jokes of the day, when King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, crowed at Westminster Abbey.
Composer Sir Karl Jenkins, 79, recently told BBC News that he remembered watching the last coronation in Swansea in 1953 as an eight-year-old.
his music was part of Charles III’s coronation ceremony, to show the king’s love and appreciation for the culture and music of Wales.
‘I am very honored. It clearly encapsulates Welsh culture – the harp – and him [the King] has always supported music from Wales,” said Sir Karl.
“I don’t know if he chose it, but he was happy to be there. I know he likes it, otherwise he wouldn’t have asked me.’
The 79-year-old’s work Tros y Garreg was played at the ceremony (pictured in 2015 as he received his knighthood)
Social media users relished the suggestion that the Duchess of Sussex would disguise herself to sneak into the coronation. One said the image reminded him of Tony Clifton, the rude alter ego of American comedian Andy Kaufam in Man In The Moon, who was memorably played by Jim Carrey (pictured)
The piece was first composed for the then Prince of Wales two decades ago when he resumed the role of royal harpist. Catrin Finch, the first person to win the revived role, played the part.
‘It’s a slow movement, based on an old Welsh folk song,’ said Sir Karl. ‘It’s terrifying, it’s very Welsh and the story is reminiscent of a soldier returning home and crossing the stile.
It starts very quietly, with the strings playing the melody of the national anthem, then the harpist does this technique called bisbigliando, which means to whisper in Italian,” he added.
He studied music at Cardiff University and the Royal Academy of Music, where he is a Fellow and Associate. He became the lead songwriter for the jazz rock bank Soft Machine in 1974, having joined the band two years earlier.
He collaborated with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber on Jesus Christ Superstar and with Elton John on Tumbleweed Connection, released in 1970.
In 2008, Jenkins’ The Armed Nab was number 1 on Classic FM’s ‘Top 10 Living Composers’.
He received an OBE in the 2005 New Year Honors and a CBE in 2010, before being knighted in 2015.