Prince Charles has appointed Swansea musician Hannah Stone as his official royal harpist.
The announcement was made during the Prince’s week-long tour of Wales.
Hannah, 24, played at a reception at the prince’s home in Llwynywermod, Carmarthenshire. She will now hold the post of official harpist to the Prince for two years.
The aim of the position is to celebrate and promote musical talent in Wales. Hannah takes over from Claire Jones, who was appointed in June 2007.
She said: “I am proud to be promoting the harp, a central part of our Welsh heritage, and to follow the fantastic example set by Claire.
“I am excited to get started and can’t wait for the coming months.
“It’s a big responsibility. I hope to promote the harp as much as I can in Wales. I intend to make that my full-time job.”
The post of Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales was reinstated in 2000 and Hannah is the fourth person to have been appointed in the role. She began playing the harp when she was just eight years old and has won many prizes for her talent. She previously played for the Queen during her tour of Wales in 2002. She also played earlier in June at the opening of the fourth Welsh assembly for the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Hannah, who is a Guildhall School of Music graduate, is currently studying under Caryl Thomas at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. In her new role, she will play a harp given to the prince in 2006 by the Victor Salvi Foundation in recognition of his promotion of the instrument.