You could be forgiven for not having heard the name Patrick Doyle but, as the musical mastermind behind King Charles III’s Coronation March, he will be responsible for one of tomorrow’s defining moments.
The award-winning Scottish film music writer – behind everything from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire to Bridget Jones and Sense And Sensibility to pretty much everything Kenneth Branagh has ever made – talks about getting that call, what the music is going to be like and how he’s had to rent an outfit for the big day.
I absolutely am! It’s thrilling.
How did you get asked to write the Coronation March? A phone call?
I got a phone call from the Palace saying that Prince Charles would like to ask if I would like to compose the Coronation March, as simple as that.
I had written for him before, I had known him for many years as the former Prince of Wales and I composed a piece for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday – but it was still a shock.
I love that you still refer to him as Prince Charles…
I’ve never met him as the King, so I say former Prince of Wales. But to write the Coronation March for King Charles III is an extraordinary thing.
When I think of the lineage that has gone before me – like Handel, Purcell, Elgar, Walton – it was rather intimidating, to be honest.
So, what’s the music like?
I was given a brief: they asked that the piece be triumphant, and that it would be memorable – so no pressure – and uplifting. These were the adjectives and it had to last four minutes because the whole day is timed to the last second.
Coronation of King Charles III latest
The historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
For all the latest royal updates, visit Metro.co.uk’s dedicated coronation page.
The piece represents the King’s character in four sections. The first is heraldic and full of pageantry, the second moves forward at a pace and has a very strong healthy influence, the third is joyful and fun and the final one is romantic and reflective and builds to a triumphant climax.
All this in four minutes?
All this in four minutes.
And what are you going to wear?
I have a morning suit. I don’t own one so I hired one. It looks rather dashing.
You’re going to the Coronation in rented clothing!
I am! Is that bad?
Tell us about your recent Ivor Novello nomination for Death On The Nile…
Yes. It’s great to be recognised by your peers. I won the award more than 30 years ago with my first film, Henry V.
You and Kenneth Branagh, it’s quite the 30-year bromance!
[Laughs] That’s right! I’ve worked with him over 13 pictures and in theatre for over 33 years.
We get on like a house on fire. He’s also a Celt, we share the same sense of humour, he loves a good melody and he’s just great fun.
There was a symbiosis that developed between us, I can read his mind.
And how did you meet the King?
I’ve known Prince Charles – I have to get used to calling him King Charles – for more than 30 years and he’s a great lover of the arts and music. We’ve always got on terribly well.
The first time I met him was at the royal premier of Twelfth Night, my first job with Kenneth Branagh, and Prince Charles was in the audience and we were all nervous. I was playing piano onstage and directing a small orchestra and there was a lamp on the piano to light my music.
As I started to play the lamp started coming towards me, fell off the piano and brought all the music with it. I could see the pages were all mixed up so I screamed, ‘Has anyone seen page one?’ There was a huge laugh and I saw King Charles in fits of giggles. We were introduced afterwards and he said, ‘That was very funny, you should do it every night.’
You were actually born in coronation year, weren’t you?
Gosh, you’ve done your homework. Yes! It’s my 70th year. To have been commissioned by Prince Charles at the beginning of my career and to have this at the end of my career is phenomenal.
You just said ‘the end of my career’…
The last quarter. A composer never stops. Verdi wrote his two greatest operas between the ages of 78 and 82. And John Williams has just finished his score at the age of 90.
But this is the most terrifying thing since my first film. All the best ears of the global audience will be listening.
But if it all goes wrong on the day – and they lose page one – it’s not your fault.
It won’t go wrong on the day. It’s being played by some of the finest musicians in the UK. I’ve heard it and it sounds fabulous. A good orchestra is the most amazing toy in the world.
What are you doing after the Coronation?
We are having some friends round for a little glass of wine and a barbecue.
MORE : The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant strongly believes King Charles is a style icon: ‘He sends a really important message’
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