New Zealand icon Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the world’s most beloved sopranos and the leading operatic performer of the 70s and 80s. She has announced her retirement with the cameo role of the Duchess of Crackentorp in Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment at London’s Royal Opera House. The ‘Duchess’ is written as a speaking part, but Dame Kiri has been given an aria to sing in her final appearance at Covent Garden.

Dame Kiri kindly signed this sketch on her 70th birthday, which was celebrated on stage after the performance with a cake delivered by fellow Downton Abbey cast member Jim Carter