Louise Marshall played a rendition of Jingle Bells on the bagpipes for William and Kate as they arrived at Waverly station from their royal train on Monday, marking the start of their 1250 mile UK tour.
She said the engagement was “all very short notice,” having only received an email a few days before asking if she was available.
However, as the personal piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Louise was up for the gig.
“It was amazing,” she said. “I decided I’d play some traditional tunes as well as festive tunes and it went down really well.
“First of all when they disembarked off the train I was playing some traditional Christmas carols and they both looked over and said thank you, Kate said to me “that was a really jolly welcome, thank you.
“When they returned, they had a little bit longer, so I believe they were chatting away to the depute lord lieutenant and Kate said “oh we have to go and speak to the piper!”, so they both came over and it was just the three of us chatting and they said thanks very much for the lovely welcome, and Kate actually said that her children loved the bagpipes and I said “yes and I believe Her Majesty loves the bagpipes as well,” and she said that the Queen has a piper playing every morning.
“Then they wished me a merry Christmas and I piped as the royal train set off again.”
Asked if playing for the royals was a professional highlight, she replied: “It’s up there definitely, I’ve played at so many high-profile events. I’ve played for the Queen, the Pope, Brian May, but they’re all very special in their own way.”
