The Manitoba fiddler who performed for the King and Queen

Morgan Grace, Métis fiddle player and founder of Fiddles for Life, shares her musical journey and mission to put fiddles into more hands.

A Manitoba fiddler had the chance to rub elbows with royalty at a recent performance.

Morgan Grace, 18, played her fiddle for King Charles III and Queen Camilla when they visited Canada last month.

The Red River Métis musician performed for the royals at the speech from the throne in Ottawa’s Senate chamber. Her two songs were “Teardrop Waltz” and the “Red River Jig.”

Grace said the opportunity was exciting but also brought out some nerves, especially when she had the opportunity to chat with the king.

“There’s a lot of protocols when you meet someone from the royal family,” she explained.

“There’s certain rules you have to follow. That was nerve-wracking for sure.”

Grace, who has been playing the fiddle since she was four years old, said she can’t remember her life without a fiddle in her hand.

“[The fiddle] has brought so many opportunities, so many friendships, so many relationships, everything,” she said.

“I don’t think I’d have a lot without it.”

To help get more people playing the instrument, Grace created Fiddles for Life—a program designed to give fiddles to those in need of one. More information is available online.

• With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé