Katherine Jenkins (born 29 June 1980 in Neath, West Glamorgan, Wales) is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. In 2004, at the age of 23, she signed the largest record deal in United Kingdom classical recording history, with an undisclosed seven-figure deal. She is Britain's best-selling classical artist of all time.

She was the first person to perform the Home Nations anthem "The Power of Four"'.

She has also appeared regularly as the singer for the Welsh national anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" at Welsh international rugby matches.

In August, 2004 she made her first US appearance supporting crossover soprano Hayley Westenra at the unfortunately named, but famous, Joe's Pub in New York City. In April through May of 2005 she supported Irish tenor Ronan Tynan on his first US tour as a solo artist.

She performed on the Berlin stage of Live 8 in 2005 the hymn "Amazing Grace". Her interpretation was partly a vocal solo; for the rest she was accompanied by a single softly played piano.

Jenkins' Italian-language version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" ("L'Amore Sei Tu"), first performed live at Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire on August 28, 2005, was the first cut on Jenkins' 2005 album Living A Dream.

Jenkins also sang lead on "I Feel Love" during Blue Man Group's performance at the 2005 Royal Variety Performance. She also performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway on 11 December 2005.

Jenkins is noted for her appearance, which was deemed beautiful enough to enable her to work as a hair and makeup model, though she is too short at approximately 5'3" for runway work. This is something she only did for extra money, however, as she is also a university graduate who taught music to children prior to being signed by Universal.

She has one sister and her mother is still alive; her father, Selwyn Jenkins, died of cancer when she was a teenager, and she has remarked on missing him in her album liner notes. She has been romantically involved for approximately four years with songwriter and former boy band singer Steve Hart, however, they have kept the details of their relationship private, and indeed, are rarely seen in public together.

Jenkins has become noted for her friendly and accessible nature when off the stage. She frequently has autograph signing sessions after her concerts and is very good about conversation and posing for pictures, frequently kneeling when she talks to children, most likely a carryover from her teaching days.

To this day she maintains an apolitical stance, though she is most definitely a supporter of the British Armed Forces wherever they go.

Jenkins' album Second Nature was named the Album of the Year at the 2005 Classical Brit Awards on May 25, 2005. This award is chosen by listeners of Classic FM.

Dame Vera Lynn has dubbed Katherine the new "Forces Sweetheart", a nickname given to Lynn during World War II, for her vists to entertain troops after the Iraq invasion.

Living a Dream quickly rose to number 1 on the Classic FM chart.