Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1683558901

Coronation concert latest: TV viewing figures released after Katy Perry wows Windsor Castle

Lionel Richie and Paloma Faith among performers as Prince William pays tribute to his father and Queen Camilla

Prince William pays tribute to King Charles in touching coronation concert speech

Support truly
independent journalism

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

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 newDoctor 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.

The TV viewing figures for the coronation concert have now been released.

1683490796

Andrea Bocelli into Lionel Richie. Some real pedigree on show.

Richie currently performing “All Night Long (All Night)”, aka his biggest banger.

Richie on stage
Richie on stage (BBC)

Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:19
1683490101

Threatening to steal the show, we have Miss Piggy, engaging in some classic muppet-and-man back-and-forth with Bonneville. Cue Kermit the Frog.

Charles et al seen cracking up in the royal box.

Hugh Bonneville and the muppets
Hugh Bonneville and the muppets (BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:08
1683489933

Tiwa Savage singing a charismatic afrobeats track... and an even more charismatic dress. Delightful!

Tiwa Savage at the coronation concert
Tiwa Savage at the coronation concert (BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:05
1683489647

Steve Winwood storms the stage with his 80s banger “Higher Love”.

Doesn’t have the voice he did all those decades ago (unsurprising, really), but good lord, what an infectious song.

Winwood is in fact father-in-law of Ben Elliot, Camilla’s nephew, meaning his grandson Arthur was one of the Pages in the coronation.

Steve Winwood at the coronation concert
Steve Winwood at the coronation concert (BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 21:00
1683489436

After a segment paying tribute to the King’s flair for watercolours, it’s Lucy, performing on piano, from The Amber Trust.

Lucy from the Amber Trust performing at the coronation
Lucy from the Amber Trust performing at the coronation (BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:57
1683489238

The Doctor is in! Newbie Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa is on stage performing a snippet of Shakespeare while West Side Story plays in the background.

There’s a lot going on here, a big collaborative effort between a lot of different performing schools. Sweeping.

Almost wish you had more time to drink it in. But no! Onto the next.

(BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:53
1683488995

The virtuoso pianist introduces Nicole Scherzinger, who delivers an absolutely sensational rendition of Disney’s Mulan theme.

What. A. Voice.

Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger (bbc)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:49
1683488824

Tom Jones and Hugh Jackman paying tribute to the King’s musical skills in a couple of pre-recorded videos.

“He can recite Shakespeare; he can play trumpet, piano, and cello. His cello is being played onstage tonight.” Piano maestro Lang Lang now on stage strutting his stuff.

Lang Lang
Lang Lang (bbc)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:47
1683488517

Murs is followed by the Coronation Choir, who look like they’re having an absolute blast singing “Brighter Days”.

The choir is a group created from the nation’s keenest community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK, such as refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBT+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs.

The Coronation Choir sing ‘Brighter Days'
The Coronation Choir sing ‘Brighter Days' (bbc)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:41
1683488272

He’s followed by Olly Murs, who belts out a pretty enthusiastic “Dance With Me Tonight”.

Olly Murs performing at the coronation concert
Olly Murs performing at the coronation concert (BBC)
Louis Chilton7 May 2023 20:37

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in