Sony Music signs Royal wedding stand-outs The Kingdom Choir

The gospel choir which made their mark at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding earlier this year, have been signed to a major record deal.

The Kingdom Choir were picked up by Sony UK, with plans to go into the studio this month to cut their debut album.

Due in November around the world, it will include their rendition of the Ben E King classic Stand By Me which went straight in at #1 on the US Gospel Songs chart after they performed it at the Royal Wedding and has been viewed more than 10 million times on YouTube.

The London-based 30-piece was founded in 1994 by conductor Karen Gibson (who previously sang backup vocals for The Beautiful South) and managed by Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE at InterTalent.

To announce the deal, Sony executives and the choir met at Kensington Palace.

Nicola Tuer, COO, Sony Music UK, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have signed The Kingdom Choir to Sony.

“Along with the rest of the world, we were stunned by their incredible performance at The Royal Wedding, so we jumped at the chance to sign them.

“The choir believe in love, music and power and we are excited to capture this on record for their fans across the globe.”

Choir conductor Karen Gibson, related: “The Kingdom Choir are absolutely delighted with the journey of the past few months!

“It’s been a roller coaster, but we wouldn’t have it any other way – first, the honour of being able to sing at the Royal Wedding, and then the thrill of being signed to Sony!

“It’s like an un-dreamt dream – one that you wouldn’t even consider because you never thought it could happen to you. We’re very grateful and very excited about what’s to come in the next few months too…”

The Royal Wedding had a worldwide viewing audience of nearly two billion.

Until then, the largest audience that The Kingdom Come had played to was 200 people.