The Countess of Wessex has recorded a bible reading for a virtual church service of morning prayer, from Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

The regular congregation of the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park has been unable to meet during the COVID-19 lockdown. So the the educational foundation at Cumberland Lodge in the Park has stepped in to support Canon Martin Poll, Chaplain to the Great Park, by live-streaming a service at 11am every Sunday.

Canon Dr Edmund Newell, chief executive of Cumberland Lodge, has been working closely with Canon Martin and helping to preach or lead some of the services.

He said: "We were delighted that Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex offered to read a lesson for one of our services. I know it was very warmly received by our local community'."

There have also been guest addresses from Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Terry Waite the author and former hostage and Canon Dr Mark Powell, Canon Steward of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Canon Newell added: ‘When churches were temporarily closed at the beginning of the lockdown, we wanted to offer a practical way of supporting our neighbours in the Royal Chapel community and the wider community in and around the Great Park. We reach a regular congregation of around 200 people every week, who watch the services via our website, from their own homes. It’s something we hope to continue to offer for as long as it is needed."

Each virtual service is accompanied by piano music from Richard Furstenheim, Director of Music at the Royal Chapel, or choral music shared by The Queen’s Six ensemble, with hymns led by the Royal Chapel’s virtual choir, whose members record their contributions from home each week.

The Sunday services from Cumberland Lodge can be found online at: https://cumberlandlodge.ac.uk/project/services-royal-chapel-community