BBC accused of cutting cellist who played at Meghan and Harry’s wedding out of its highlights because he was ‘not doing a black thing’

The mother of an award-winning cellist has accused the BBC of cutting him out of highlights of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s wedding because he ‘wasn’t doing a black thing’.  

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason said she was shocked to find her talented son Sheku did not feature in any of the corporation’s highlights coverage nor in any newspapers the next day. 

The Duchess of Sussex had personally called the celebrated black cellist to ask him to perform in front of guests at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2018. 

Millions of people across the world watched his stunning performance in awe as he performed three pieces of music, yet his mother said that night he was not in any of the broadcaster’s highlights.    

Speaking at the Hay Festival, in Wales, Mrs Kanneh-Mason questioned whether his omission was because he was ‘not doing a black thing’.

The Telegraph reported her as saying: ‘So there was the choir, there was the preacher but he was left out as though he hadn’t been there.

‘The next morning, we looked through all the papers. He was not there. So they decided that he was going to be absent. And we thought, what’s going on here?

‘I think what it was: the gospel choir was doing what it was supposed to do. The preacher was doing what he was supposed to do. But a black cellist? A black cellist cancels itself out … he’s not doing what he’s supposed to be doing, he’s not doing a black thing. 

Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason (right) said she was shocked to find her talented son Sheku (left) did not feature in any of the BBC’s highlights of Harry and Meghan’s wedding 

Millions of people across the world watched his stunning performance in awe as he performed three pieces of music at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in 2018 (pictured)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kissing as they leave St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle after their wedding

‘That’s really interesting, unpacking what the media thinks we’re supposed to do.’  

The classical music star, who had two years earlier won the BBC’s Young Musician Award, was chosen to perform alongside gospel singers The Kingdom Choir. 

While the sermon was by African-American priest Rt Rev Michael Curry.

The Sussexes were widely applauded for the multicultural event with Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, telling The Sun at the time:  ‘There’s never been a royal wedding like in modern history.’ 

A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: ‘BBC News reported widely on Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s role in the 2018 royal wedding including news that he was selected to play, multiple stories of how the day unfolded and on the impact of his performance.’ 

Sheku told of his pride at performing at the royal wedding a year later saying: ‘I enjoyed every moment of it. The atmosphere was buzzing and I felt lucky to play in such a beautiful building.’

He has also won two Classic Brit Awards, and received an MBE for services to music.

Sheku, from Nottingham, revealed in 2019 of the moment he received a phonecall from Meghan.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason is made a MBE by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle — November, 2021

Sheku performs at The T.J. Martell Foundation 43rd New York Honors Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 15, 2018

The classical music star, who had two years earlier won the BBC’s Young Musician Award, was chosen to perform alongside gospel singers The Kingdom Choir (pictured)

The sermon at Harry and Meghan’s wedding was by African-American priest Rt Rev Michael Curry

He told HELLO!: ‘An American voice came on the line saying, “Hi, I’m Meghan Markle. Would you like to play at my wedding? I’ve been a fan of yours for a while but I didn’t know you were British”.’

During the ceremony Sheku played Maria Theresia von Paradis’s Sicilienne, Gabriel Faure’s Apres un reve and Franz Schubert’s Ave Maria.

In an interview with the Evening Standard Magazine, Sheku previously revealed that he’d never been to a wedding before and talked to the royal couple before their nuptials.

Sheku said: ‘I’d never actually been to a wedding before. It was pretty cool. Kind of like I’d imagine a wedding to be. I actually really enjoyed it.’

In the run up to the wedding he met Meghan and Harry in St George’s Chapel to discuss the music they wanted for the big day.

He said that Meghan had her own ideas about songs and they both very passionate about what would be played.

Sheku continued: ‘They were really friendly. It was great to talk to them and see how much they cared about what I played.’

Sheku Kanneh-Mason visits Scala Radio in London on January 7, 2020

He also reached the 2015 semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in a classical music ensemble with four of his siblings.

He has performed at No 10 Downing Street, been the subject of a BBC Four documentary and performed at the BAFTAs twice.

Sheku was brought up the third eldest of seven siblings. His parents Stuart and Kadiatu both played instruments but didn’t have a musical calling.

His big sister Isata, the eldest, studied at the Royal Academy on a scholarship funded by Sir Elton John (after she played for him at a concert in America) and was a Young Musician piano finalist in 2014.

Brother Braimah also took part in the 2014 Young Musician contest as part of a string quintet.