Latest news with #DrClaireStewart
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Choirmaster at King Charles' church off sick with work-related stress after unholy row with rector
The choirmaster at the church where King Charles worships at Sandringham has gone on sick leave with work-related stress after a bust-up with the rector. The issue apparently blew up after the Rev Canon Paul Williams tried to bring in steps to modernise the choir and music at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Royal Estate in north Norfolk. He is said to have commissioned a report into music at the 18th-century church by Tansy Castledine who is described by BBC Radio 3 as 'one of the UK's leading women conductors'. Her report and apparent recommendations have angered Dr Claire Stewart, the director of music at St Mary Magdalene Church, as well as choristers and worshippers. Dr Stewart is reported to have written a 28-page 'grievance' dossier responding to the report and is now off sick. The King has been informed of the row, which has been likened to a Vicar of Dibley storyline, and is said to have taken time to speak to distressed parishioners about it before he left a recent service at the church. It is believed that Rev Williams wanted to make the choir more 'inclusive' with younger singers, and even a social media account to promote its activities at the six medieval churches in the Sandringham group of churches. A source said: 'As you can imagine, with its links to the Royal family, St Mary Magdalene is quite traditional and high church. 'The rector wanted to make the church a bit more inclusive for everyone'. Dr Stewart who has been in her post for 12 years and is 'hugely adored' by many worshippers told the Mail on Sunday that she had been left feeling 'very anxious and stressed'. She said: 'I am unable to comment at the moment as I am on sick leave with work-related stress.' Dr Stewart described the report by Ms Castledine, the Director of Music at Peterborough Cathedral, Cambridgeshire, as 'controversial'. She added: 'She was commissioned by the rector to do this, and as a result of it being published, it has greatly upset the choir, the congregation and myself.' The bust-up is said to have led to a number of members of the 'tight-knit' choir staying away from Sunday services and practice sessions. The Bishop of Norwich, the Right Rev Graham Usher, has received a number of letters from parishioners who have been distressed about the row. Tory peer Lord Greville Howard of nearby Castle Rising which has its church included in the Sandringham group of parishes is believed to have held a meeting earlier this month with church leaders to try and reach a peace deal. Members of the Royal family traditionally attend St Mary Magdalene Church for morning service on Christmas Day when they are watched by thousands of members of the public. The late Queen and her husband Prince Philip attended the church when in residence at Sandringham, and the King who is battling cancer has followed in the footsteps of his parents as a regular worshipper. During his reign, he and Queen Camilla have often been photographed walking to the church from Sandringham House or sometimes being driven there by car. The Rev Williams became Sandringham rector in September 2022 shortly after the death of the late Queen, and was later appointed Domestic Chaplain to the King. He was previously vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey in the Diocese of Gloucester. The rector did not respond to a request for comment, while Edward Parsons, a churchwarden at Sandringham, also declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Diocese of Norwich said: 'St Mary Magdalene, the parish church of Sandringham is one of six churches that form the Sandringham Group of Churches in North West Norfolk. 'We are aware that a discussion around music has taken place within the group of churches. It has taken in the views of parishioners and members of the congregation and the discussions continue.' The Diocese spokesperson was unable to comment on the contents of the report produced by Ms Castledine.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
King's church ‘divided by row between vicar and choirmaster'
The King's church has allegedly been divided in an apparent row between the vicar and its choirmaster. The apparent feud began over the Rev Canon Paul Williams's plans for the future of the choir at St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham, which is traditionally attended by the Royal Family on Christmas Day. It is understood that matters escalated and resulted in Dr Claire Stewart, the 'adored' director of music, lodging a 28-page grievance in response to a report on her role, according to anonymous sources. The Bishop of Norwich is said to have been inundated with letters from worried parishioners on the situation – which has been likened to an episode of The Vicar of Dibley – and private meetings have reportedly been held to address the matter. The Rev, the Domestic Chaplain to the King, took up his post as rector of Sandringham in 2022 after moving from Tewkesbury Abbey in the Diocese of Gloucester. He reportedly wants to modernise the church by introducing contemporary features such as a social media account for the choir. It is understood that in response to a report into her role, Dr Stewart lodged a lengthy grievance dossier. The King – who owns the nearby 20,000 acre estate in Norfolk – has reportedly been made aware of the dispute. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. Recently, he stayed behind after a service and chatted to locals at the church, which dates back to the 14th century, according to The Sun, which reported the Bishop of Norwich is said to have been inundated with letters over the row. It has also been said that the turn-out in the once 'tight-knit' choir at Sunday services and practices has dwindled. An anonymous source told The Sun: 'It feels like an episode of The Vicar of Dibley. But it's turning into an unholy row and it's starting to get very bitter and damaging. 'It is overshadowing what should be a harmonious parish church on the King's royal estate and heads need to be banged together.' Another source said: 'The King has been made aware that there is an issue between the vicar and choirmaster.' Dr Stewart, who has been director of music at the church for 12 years, said she does not wish to comment on the matter. Parishioners said she is 'hugely adored' and has been put under a lot of pressure. The Royal Family have regularly attended services for more than a century at St Mary Magdalene when staying at Sandringham House. Princess Eugenie was baptised there in 1990 and, more recently, Princess Charlotte of Wales in 2015.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'It's like an episode of the Vicar of Dibley': King Charles is 'called in' to settle an unholy row between a priest and choirmaster at Sandringham
A simmering row at a Sandringham church hit such a discordant note that King Charles himself was reportedly asked to mediate. A bitter feud between the vicar and choirmaster erupted over the future direction of the choir at St Mary Magdalene Church – the same site where the Royal Family traditionally attends Christmas service. The clash left the choir in tatters, with dwindling attendance, furious parishioners, and the Bishop of Norwich's inbox overflowing with complaints. At the heart of the dispute is Rev Canon Paul Williams, the King's Domestic Chaplain, who took up his post on 2023 after moving from Tewkesbury Abbey. He is said to be keen on modernising the centuries-old choir, including launching a social media presence to promote its work. But his plans appear to have struck a chord with Dr Claire Stewart, the long-serving and much-admired Director of Music, who hit back with a 28-page grievance report in response to a review of her role. Sources say the once-harmonious church has been plunged into an 'unholy row', with some likening the ongoing drama to an episode of The Vicar of Dibley. King Charles, who regularly worships at the 16th-century church, is understood to have been made fully aware of the dispute. Dr Claire Stewart has served as choirmaster for 12 years and is described by parishioners as 'hugely adored' and under immense pressure as the rift deepens Insiders say he lingered after a recent service to speak personally with concerned members of the congregation. 'It's turning into an unholy row and it's starting to get very bitter and damaging,' a source told The Sun. 'It is overshadowing what should be a harmonious parish church on the King's royal estate and heads need to be banged together.' Dr Stewart has served as choirmaster for 12 years and is described by parishioners as 'hugely adored' and under immense pressure as the rift deepens. In an attempt to calm the waters, local councillor Lord Greville Howard, Baron Greville of Rising, convened a private meeting earlier this month with church leaders in a bid to broker peace. But tensions remain high, and choir numbers at Sunday services and rehearsals have noticeably thinned amid the ongoing turmoil. MailOnline has approached the Palace for comment.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Unholy' row breaks out between Charles' vicar and choirmaster with King asked to broker peace deal
THE King has been asked to mediate a row at his local church between the vicar and choirmaster. The bitter argument is said to be over the future of the choir at the Sandringham landmark. 4 Rev Canon Paul Williams, the Domestic Chaplain to the King, is said to want to modernise — including getting a social media account for the choir at St Mary Magdalene Church. But director of music Dr Claire Stewart is said to have responded to a report into her role with a 28-page grievance dossier. King Charles, who worships at the church near his Norfolk estate, has been made aware of the row. Several weeks ago, he made a point of staying behind after a service to chat to parishioners. The Bishop of Norwich is said to have been inundated with letters over the simmering row. This month, local councillor Lord Greville Howard, Baron Greville of Rising, held a meeting with church leaders in a bid to sort out the mess. Meanwhile, numbers in the 'tight knit' choir at Sunday services and practices have dwindled. A source said yesterday: 'It feels like an episode of Vicar of Dibley. 'But it's turning into an unholy row and it's starting to get very bitter and damaging. 'It is overshadowing what should be a harmonious parish church on the King's royal estate and heads need to be banged together.' End of an era as King Charles AXES royal train after 150 years as cost of keeping iconic vehicle going hits £1.2m a year Another source said: 'The King has been made aware that there is an issue between the vicar and choirmaster.' Dr Stewart has been director of music at the church for 12 years. Parishioners say she is 'hugely adored' and has been put under a lot of pressure. Rev Williams joined in 2023 after moving from Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucs. 4 4
