The first female State Trumpeter to play at a British royal wedding today said it was a “dream come true”.
Lance Corporal Kate Sandford, from the band of the Household Cavalry, will help sound the fanfare to mark the arrival of Meghan Markle as she takes her first steps inside St George’s Chapel tomorrow.
In the process she will make royal history. The 29-year-old from Windsor said: “We’re all so proud and feel very privileged to be part of the fanfare team. We’ve had quite a few rehearsals. Whenever we are at work we pick up our trumpets and have a rehearsal.
“It means an awful lot. To get picked for something so prestigious makes you feel very lucky. It’s a dream come true.”
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She will be joined by her husband, Lance Corporal Julian Sandford in the elite six-person band. State Trumpeters wear long gold coats and are often seen at major state events or anniversaries.
Mrs Sandford is employed as a cornet and trumpet player. She is also the only harpist within the Corps of Army Music and is often called upon to assist other bands and orchestras. Mr and Mrs Sandford, who married in December, will also be the first married couple to perform the duty. She said her “cool as a cucumber” husband helped her with her confidence.
She added: “The Household Cavalry is an all-male regiment but women have been in the band since the mid-Nineties. For everyone else it seems a marvel — but for us we are just doing our job to the best of our ability. I’m sure it matches the men.”
Mrs Sandford started playing the trumpet aged eight and was in her university’s brass band. Two bandmates played a fanfare at her wedding when she walked down the aisle.
