King Charles’ secret outing comes to light after he welcomes German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender.
The monarch made a surprise visit to the Donatella Flick LSO 2025 conducting competition, adding a royal touch to the world of classical music.
The King is known as a long-time champion of young talent, returning to one of his favorite stages, having been the competition’s boss for many years when he was Prince of Wales.
At LSO St Luke’s in London, he saw 20 aspiring maestros from 10 countries take to the podium, leading the London Symphony Orchestra through stirring performances of Verdi’s Sicilian Vespers Overture, Brahms’ Second Symphony and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.
He met some of the most remarkable young talents, including Félix Benati, Matteo Dal Maso and Leonhard Kreutzmann, all vying for the top prize of £15,000 and the coveted role of assistant conductor of the LSO.
The King also met the orchestra’s chief executive, Dame Kathryn McDowell, and the jury, chaired by LSO conductor Sir Antonio Pappano, who conducted Charles’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in 2023.
For the first time, the competition was filmed for the upcoming Sky Arts series. Make a Maestrowhich is scheduled for release in spring 2026.
