The Royal Choral Society, originally formed as the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society, was established in London in 1871, coinciding with the opening of the Royal Albert Hall. Initiated by the Commissioners of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and conducted initially by Charles Gounod, the choir quickly became a fixture in London's musical scene, performing its first concert on May 8, 1872. The choir's reputation was further enhanced under the leadership of Joseph Barnby, who succeeded Gounod and invited notable composers such as Verdi and Dvořák to conduct their own works with the choir. Barnby also initiated the annual Good Friday performance of Handel’s Messiah in 1878, a tradition that persists today.

In 1888, following a command performance for Queen Victoria, the choir was renamed the Royal Choral Society. After Barnby's death in 1896, Frederick Bridge took over as conductor, continuing to expand the choir's influence. The choir has been associated with numerous premieres and has been led by eminent conductors, including Sir Malcolm Sargent, whose tenure lasted forty years. Today, under the direction of Richard Cooke since 1995, the Royal Choral Society balances its rich heritage with contemporary performances, participating in diverse events and maintaining its status as a prominent amateur choir in the UK.