Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Take That take centre stage at coronation concert

WINDSOR – Britain revelled in the

coronation of King Charles III on Sunday

as it staged a star-studded concert watched by 20,000 people at Windsor Castle, and millions more across the country and world.

King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, watched from a royal box in the grounds of the castle west of London, as American singers Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as British band Take That, topped the bill of performers.

Screens erected nationwide broadcast the event – featuring a 70-piece orchestra, choirs and other dramatic performances – to communities, while organisers said it would also be seen in more than 100 countries.

“We are delighted and honoured to be joined by our newly crowned King Charles III, whose lifelong passion for the arts we will be celebrating throughout the show,” said host Hugh Bonneville, known for his roles in period drama Downton Abbey (2010 to 2015, with films from 2019 to 2022) and the Paddington family films (2014 and 2019).

“He himself, of course, is a painter, an artist – the artist formerly known as Prince,” the British actor quipped, earning widespread laughs, including from the former Prince of Wales.

King Charles’ coronation last Saturday as monarch of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries was Britain’s first in seven decades.

The concert opened with an Ibiza Classics performance by British DJ Pete Tong – reportedly on the request of the King – followed by British singer Olly Murs and a flurry of other stars.

An early highlight saw the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art team up for a one-off performance.

Richie lit up the show midway through, performing hits like Easy Like Sunday Morning and All Night Long, shortly after Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Perry performed her hits Firework and Roar, while the three remaining members of Take That – Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen – closed the show with songs such as Greatest Day, Shine and Never Forget.

Hollywood star Tom Cruise – speaking from the cockpit of his plane – actress Joan Collins, adventurer Bear Grylls and singer Tom Jones also appeared via video message.

A series of pre-recorded sketches also aired, revealing little-known facts about Charles. It featured characters from The Muppets and English writer A.A. Milne’s beloved literary creation Winnie the Pooh. AFP