Iris Williams dead: Welsh singer who performed for Queen dies as tributes pour in

Singer Iris Williams, who was awarded an OBE for her contributions to music, has died at the age of 79, it has been announced.

The Welsh star rose to fame in the 1980s for her music, and was honoured with an OBE for her contributions to music in 2004. During her glittering career, the singer performed for the late Queen Elizabeth and for US President Gerald Ford.

Iris, who was born in Pontypridd in 1946, died today at the age of 79 in the US, where she was understood to be living, her brother paid tribute to her as the news was announced.

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Williams' brother Ashley said: "I never met her until we were adults and it was wonderful to meet up with her," he said.

"In my opinion she was one of Wales most underrated singers. She had a tremendous career, it was very hard for her growing up," he told the BBC.

Meanwhile, the St David's Society of the State of New York said Iris had "joined the heavenly chorus where her joyful singing will surely bring those joys beyond measure which we have been honoured to share."

"New York held a special place in her life and it was here that she gave birth to her only child Blake," they added.

Meanwhile, opera singer Beverley Humphreys also paid tribute to the star as she said: "Iris had her own unique jazz style - vivacious and elegant - with a twinkle in her eye, she had a way of inhabiting each song she sang.

"Iris was a story teller whose voice could set your feet tapping or touch your heart."

Iris' hits included He Was Beautiful, Pererin Wyf, a Welsh-language version of Amazing Grace.

She appeared on the Welsh BBC pop show, Disc A Dawn and later featured in her own BBC TV show.

Iris went on to win Cân i Gymru, a Welsh-language talent competition, as she performed the song I gael Cymru'n Gymru Rydd, which translates to For a Free Wales.

She also performed at a concert to celebrate the opening of the National Assembly of Wales in 1999.

Iris released a string of songs including He Was Beautiful, Haul Yr Haf (which translates to Summer Sun), No Walls No Ceilings No Floors and All My Trials.

During her final years, she worked in some of the most prestigious cabaret venues in America, singing Welsh songs, her brother said.

Speaking about when she would return to her home country, he said: "When she came back to Wales she used to come to the house a lot. I always used to say 'where do you want to go?' and she'd always say Tonyrefail.

"She loved the valleys, she had so much support from people in the valleys."

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