Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins will be the first person ever to sing the Welsh National anthem, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, at an FA Cup Final, when she performs at pre-match festivities for the Cardiff v Portsmouth showdown at Wembley Stadium on May 17.
Katherine had initially been asked to accompany Lesley Garrett in a rendition of God Save the Queen, but asked authorities to let her sing the Welsh national anthem with the Coldstream Guards instead, to acknowledge the achievements of a Welsh side appearing in the final, and the FA duly consented.
Back in 1927, the last time Cardiff reached the Final, Land Of My Fathers was performed, and not the true hiraeth - laden, official Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
The Football Association estimates that between 480 and 500 million people will watch the Final worldwide.
Katherine said today, "It's a fantastic honour for me to sing our national anthem anywhere in the world, but to sing at a Cup Final at Wembley is going to be something really special. Who will I support? Who will all right-minded and passionate Welsh sports fans across our country support that day?"
Katherine brings the highly successful Viva La Diva extravanza back to Cardiff next weekend on May 4 and 5 for another two shows at Cardiff Indoor Arena.
Source: News Wales
