Coronation concert – latest updates: Charles and Camilla watch Take That at Windsor Castle as Prince William shares tribute
Prince William pays tribute to King Charles in touching coronation concert speech
The Prince of Wales paid a touching tribute to his father at an extravagant concert held to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation.
“Pa, we are all so proud of you,” said Prince William, before praising the King’s dedication to the crown, as well as his environmental and charity work.
The heir to the throne took to the stage in front of 20,000 people at Windsor Castle, ahead of a line-up of performers including Take That, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Paloma Faith, Andrea Bocelli, Sir Bryn Terfel, and Alexis Ffrench.
A medley of theatre, ballet, theatre and arts performances also took place, featuring new Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa in an interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Festivities began at 8pm and lasted until just after 10pm, and were staged the East Lawn of the castle’s grounds, marking the first time an event like this has taken place on the property. Those not at Windsor Castle were able to watch the concert live on BBC One.
You can find a rundown of the best looks from the coronation yesterday here.
Concert hightlights: Prince George and Princess Charlotte dance to Lionel Richie
Looking back at some of the highlights from the coronation concert: Princess Charlotte and Prince George dancing the night away was up there.
The youngsters stood with the rest of the royal box, including the King and Queen, and moved to the sound of Lionel Richie’s hit All Night Long and Take That’s anthems.
Singing along, Charlotte and George waved their flags enthusiastically and swayed in time to the music.
The princess also sang the words to Katy Perry’s Roar and Firework, as the US singer took to the stage in a shiny gold metallic ball gown.
Ahead of Take That’s finale, Kermit the Frog joined the Windsors in the royal box as the Muppet, dressed in a smart suit and tie, bounced on the spot and waved his flag in front of the Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte dance to Lionel Richie during coronation concert
Liam James8 May 2023 01:00
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy steal the show at coronation concert
Kermit the Frog and his co-star Miss Piggy sparked huge laughter from the King during his appearance at the Windsor coronation festival.
The King appeared to chuckle after Miss Piggy described host Hugh Bonneville as a “real Lord” – mistaking the actor for the character he plays in Downton Abbey, the Earl of Grantham.
And the King laughed even harder after she referred to him as “King Charlesy Warlesy” and said he was “expecting” Kermit the Frog in the royal box.
Even Princess Charlotte and Prince George smiled as they watched on intently, while the Prince of Wales laughed along with his father.
Just before Hugh Bonneville introduced the final act of the star-studded concert, Take That, the BBC cut to the royal box, where Kermit waved a Union flag in front of a grinning Duke of Edinburgh.
The King looked to his left as he clapped before Bonneville signed off: “And, of course, thank you your majesties, for allowing us to perform for you here. We sincerely hope you and the frog have enjoyed yourselves.”
Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog crash the coronation concert
Liam James8 May 2023 00:00
The King and Queen watch over an eclectic coronation concert, starring Katy Perry, Prince William and Miss Piggy
An eclectic mix of entertainers, from Take That to Andrea Bocelli, performed a special coronation concert at Windsor Castle in front of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Sunday.
Around 20,000 people attended the event, held on the East Lawn of the castle grounds, with the newly crowned monarch watching on from the royal box. Joining the King and Queen were Prince William, the Princess of Wales and their eldest two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
During the concert, William delivered an emotional tribute to his father that recognised the King’s environmentalism and his charity work with the Prince’s Trust, in a speech that also touched on his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
I’ll leave you with Louis Chilton to wrap up the coronation concert:
Liam James7 May 2023 23:38
Coronation concert review: Katy Perry is a golden Quality Street in this bizarre musical confection
Roisin O’Connor, The Independent’s culture news editor, reviews the King’s coronation concert:
Royal music events are a peculiar beast. Last year’s Platinum Party at the Palace was an eclectic affair, with the lineup – George Ezra, Elton John, Rod Stewart – seemingly pulled at random out of a “royals-friendly” ballot. The coronation concert, which comes a day after King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned at Westminster Abbey, is very much the same.
Of course, there have been plenty of rumours that the reason tonight’s billing at Windsor Castle is a hodgepodge of US pop, classical and dad-rock is because organisers struggled to attract the real mega-stars. Among those said to have turned down the event were Ed Sheeran, Adele, Elton John, Harry Styles and the Spice Girls. Oddly, Sheeran is now filling in for Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol, but his absence is more likely to do with the fact that he’s only just disentangled himself from winning a major plagiarism lawsuit. Others, meanwhile, might have been less keen, given each star is limited to just one song. It’s hard to imagine kicking Adele off the stage after a solitary “Hello”.
So instead we have Olly Murs, who bounds up and down the purpose-built stage like a toddler who’s eaten too many Haribo. Lang Lang, by comparison, is dignified yet passionate as he plays a grand piano medley of film soundtrack classics, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. He later introduces Nicole Scherzinger for her debut live performance of “Reflection”, from Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan. It’s a truly mesmerising moment, reminding us that Scherzinger is capable of some incredible vocal gymnastics (even if she is weighed down by some very flashy diamonds).
Liam James7 May 2023 23:30
King Charles dances with Baroness Scotland at coronation concert
King Charles shared a dance and a laugh with Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland, in the crowd at the Coronation Concert.
The Baroness occupied a prominent seat as Director of the Commonwealth.
Many on social media were impressed by her dance moves, with one viewer tweeting that the Baroness made “easily the moment of the night” by grooving next to the newly-crowned King.
Liam James7 May 2023 23:06
Annnnnnnd that’s it? It’s over! Fairly abruptly, I thought. Straight into the news update on BBC One.
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 22:07
One “Shine” later and Take That are onto their third (and last?) song, which invovlves a whole lot of pageantry.
It’s “Never Forget”.
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 22:02
They’re doing “Greatest Day”, surprise, surprise.
A whole lot of facial expressions from everyone on stage, Gary Barlow especially. Extremely, err, expressive.
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:56
“Please welcome to the stage, British pop royalty… Take That!”
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:52
I’ve been told people are comparing Perry’s outfit to a Quality Street wrapper.
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:45