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Windsor Castle’s Coronation Concert is a hit with the Board
Board president Marie Van der Zyl was amongst the 20, 000 revellers at Sunday's concert for King Charles III in the grounds of the famous castle
Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl was in full party mode as she joined the 20,000 other revellers at Windsor Castle for a star-studded Coronation Concert.
Van der Zyl was in a celebratory mood throughout Sunday’s gig, where she was joined by other representatives from the communal organisation, including chief executive Michael Weiger and the chair of the Board’s communities and education division, and vice-president, Edwin Shuker.
The Board, along with other worthy organisations from across the UK, including the Community Security Trust, had been offered tickets to the spectacular concert, which took place within the grounds of the magnificent castle, and was attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
One of the highlights of the star-studded concert, which included a fine speech from the Duke of Cambridge, was when little known singer Zak Abel, from Hendon, duetted alongside classical-soul composer/producer Alexis Ffrench at the concert, broadcast live on BBC One.
The Jewish Moroccan musician was a last minute replacement to the line-up, which included mega-stars Lionel Ritchie, Katy Perry and Take That, after singer Freya Ridings had to pull out, due to being unwell and therefore unable to perform.
But his performance alongside Ffrench of Don’t You Forget About Me, won Abel a whole new fanbase.
Another memorable moment on Sunday evening took place before any performers had even stepped onto the stage.
As the warm-up DJs, who included Scott Mills and Pete Tong, worked the crowd into a frenzy, the decision to play the Black-Eyed Peas bar mitzvah favourite I Gotta Feeling had the entire Board delegation up off of their feet.
As the now infamous “Mazel tov” chorus line approached it was the Board president herself, who proved to be as impressive as a dancer, as she is as communal leader.
Van der Zyl had been at the coronation ceremony herself the previous day in Westminster Abbey, where she later spoke of her “immense pride” at seeing both Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Baroness Gillian Merron play a leading part in the ceremony.
Even as she enjoyed some rock n roll time on Sunday, Van der Zyl still found time to engage in some positive discussions with representatives from other communities, including the renowned journalist and communications expert Eva Simpson.
David Mendoza-Wolfson, the Board’s senior Vice President, was also amongst the delegation attending the event.
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