The Kingdom Choir

The Kingdom Choir, a British gospel choir based in London, was founded by conductor and workshop leader Karen Gibson. For over 20 years, the choir performed at various venues and events, including TV appearances, corporate launches, the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, and St Martins in the Fields. Their work during this period established a strong foundation in the UK gospel music scene.

A significant turning point for the choir occurred on May 19, 2018, when they were invited to perform at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. During the ceremony, they sang a gospel version of “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, a performance that was broadcast globally to an audience of nearly two billion people. This event led to international recognition for the choir and its conductor, Karen Gibson, who was described by the British press as “Britain’s godmother of gospel.” Following their performance, “Stand by Me” topped the U.S. Hot Gospel Songs chart, and the choir subsequently secured a record deal with Sony Music.

In October 2018, The Kingdom Choir released their debut album, “Stand by Me,” which featured 14 cover performances and one original track. Their career progression included performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the 2019 MLB London Series and accompanying Marco Mengoni at the 73rd Sanremo Music Festival in Italy in 2023. In May 2023, members of the choir, performing as the Ascension Choir, sang at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, showcasing their continued presence on significant national stages. In November 2023, they celebrated their 30th anniversary with a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and released a new single, “Let It Rain.”