Catrin Finch: A Royal tradition revived

Catrin, who is in the second year of a four-year course at London's Royal Academy, will be asked to perform at a number of engagements for the Prince during the two-year appointment.

The Prince, who visited the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff said he hoped to give "support and recognition" to harpists like Catrin

"I hope I can help to encourage appreciation of the harp and its importance to Welsh culture and tradition," he said.

Her first performance was at a dinner the Prince hosted for members of the Welsh Assembly in Port Talbot on Thursday.

Catrin, who began playing the harp at school after her parents bought her one for her sixth birthday, said: "I am quite nervous, it's pretty scary, but it will be a fantastic night.

Gold brooch

"I was speechless when I found out. It is all so exciting.

"This appointment is my greatest honour. I am looking forward to every minute of it."

She has not met the Prince before, though she played at his 50th birthday party at Buckingham Palace and he congratulated her in a letter.

After her performance the Prince will present the student with a gold brooch he designed, featuring a harp.

From the age of eight to 16, Catrin's parents, Christopher and Marianne, drove a five-hour round trip each week so she could take lessons from the renowned harpist Elinor Bennett.

Talent

"This is a wonderful for my parents too, after all the hard work they put in to help me learn the harp," Catrin added.

"The harp is a very important instrument in Welsh culture and I think the appointment is all about encouraging Welsh musical talent."

At 16 she moved to London to study at the Purcell School of Music, of which the Prince is patron, before gaining admission to the Royal Academy.

A new harpist to the Prince, who must be Welsh and aged between 19 and 25, will be appointed every two years by a selection committee.

He or she will be paid an annual sum of �2,500 and expenses to cover travel costs.