Members of royal families have shown talent in playing musical instruments, singing, or composing music, most often at a gifted amateur level, and on rare occasions having popular hits in their own countries, or giving public performances during most often charities at home, or royal visits abroad. At the same time, those who have been performers, have also been intimately interested in preserving and extending traditional court music and its musicians as patrons of the traditional music and arts of their own countries.
Perhaps the most famous musician in royal families has been Henry VIII of England cited by legend as composing the popular English folk song Greensleeves, as well as several other pieces of greater veracity.
The following is a preliminary list of the more famous members of world royal families with their musical instruments or skills. Citations in the bibliography may include streaming audio of royal compositions.
List
Austria: Archduke Rudolf of Austria, piano and composing
Castile: Alfonso X of Castile, various songs Alfonso X of Castile "Selected Carols" Denmark: Frederik IX of Denmark, conducting Denmark: Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark, piano England: Henry VIII, composer King Henry VIII, Allmusic.com, "List of compositions of Henry VIII" England: Elizabeth I, Harpsichordist England: Mary I, harpsichordist Prussia: Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia (1772–1806), composer and pianist Prussia: Frederick II of Prussia, composer Frederick the Great, Allmusic.com, "List of compositions of Frederick the Great Prussia: Princess Philippine Charlotte Hawaii: Liliuokalani, composer Hawaii: William Charles Lunalilo, lyric writer Japan, Crown Prince Naruhito, violaCrown Prince Naruhito, Mongolia Web, "Crown Prince Naruhito Surprises Audience with Viola Performance in Mongolia", 16 July 2007 Korea, Prince Yi Seok, popular song Monaco, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, popular song Portugal, John IV of Portugal, musician John IV of Portugal, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Sweden: Anni-Frid "Frida" Lyngstad aka Princess Anni-Frid Synni of Reuss, Countess of Plauen, member of the band ABBA Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, clarinet/saxophoneKing Bhumibol Adulyadej, Bangkok Post, "The Jazzy King" and streaming audio of his jazz compositions at kanchanapisek.or.th UK: Charles III, cello UK: Queen Victoria, Organist UK: Prince Albert, Organist UK: Edward VII, banjoist (classic style) UK: Edward VIII, drummer (jazz)
References