The Queen is encouraging others to enjoy the music she wakes up to every day

The Queen has long been a fan of this musical instrument's music and it’s the perfect wake-up call

The Queen attends the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Windsor Cup polo match
(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Queen is a Patron of over 500 organizations and charities and one aims to encourage others to learn about and play the music she wakes up to every day. 


The Queen has taken to social media to celebrate the musical institutions that she supports as Patron. Her Majesty is currently undertaking her annual summer break at Balmoral Castle, where she often invites her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to spend time with her. This year their presence will no doubt be even more of a comfort as the Queen faces her first Balmoral trip since the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip

However, whilst she might currently be away from Buckingham Palace and is not carrying out engagements at present, her royal responsibilities and commitments are clearly still very much in her thoughts. Taking to Twitter, the official Royal Family account has recently celebrated the musical institutions Her Majesty supports.

The Grampian Police Pipe Band at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

(Image credit: Photo by: myLoupe/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Their insightful series of posts highlighted one particular patronage, Help Musicians UK, a charity that promotes music and supports professional musicians. Though this wasn't the only musical Patronage that was showcased. Sharing a throwback photo of the Queen, looking stunning in a primrose-yellow and gold dress, pearls and an elegant black handbag, they also revealed that the Queen is encouraging others to enjoy the music that wakes her up on a daily basis. 

The Royal Family caption declared,‘#DidYouKnow The Queen is Patron of over 500 organisations and charities? Among them are a number of musical institutions including @londonsymphony, @royalchoral and The Piobaireachd Society, which encourages the study of the classical music of the bagpipe!’

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According to the Society, the word ‘piobaireachd’ is now used to describe the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe, though it literally means pipe playing. They encourage the study and playing of it and the Queen as Patron is known for her love of this instrument and its music. 

So much so, in fact, that when Prince William becomes king, he will reportedly face them as a wake-up call. The Piper to the Sovereign has reportedly been playing for the monarch since the 19th century during the reign of Queen Victoria and the Queen has relied on her personal piper to wake her up throughout her 69 years on the throne. 

Queen Elizabeth II walks past The Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Richard Grisdale of The Royal Regiment of Scotland as she returns to Windsor Castle

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo - Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen's current Piper to the Sovereign is Pipe Major Richard Grisdale of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. As part of his very intriguing and unusual role, he is reportedly required to play the bagpipes for 15 minutes outside Her Majesty's window whenever she stays at her primary royal residences, Buckingham Palace, Holyroodhouse, Balmoral and Windsor Castle

However, according to Hello! magazine, he does not carry out his important duties whilst the monarch is at her Norfolk home, Sandringham House, because of a lack of accommodation. 

With the bagpipe the official instrument of Scotland, the Queen will likely be enjoying her traditional wake-up call even more during her summer break at Balmoral. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!