King Charles III’s Coronation is right around the corner, meaning speculation over which celebrities will attend is rife.
Certain members of the public have been specially invited, the royal guest list is sorted, with confirmation that Prince Harry will be flying over for the occasion, and foreign world leaders also jetting over, but our brains are ticking away trying to work out which stars we’ll spot.
A number of celebrities have royal connections, having been specially invited to royal weddings, funerals, and fundraisers in the past, but who will be there to watch the King officially crowned in person, not just on TV?
Let’s take a look at the stars to grace the events..
Katy Perry
The California Girls singer said she’s ‘so excited’ to perform for the King, given that she’s an ambassador for The British Asian Trust, a charity founded by the King when he was Prince of Wales, due to her commitment to other global charities including Unicef and her own Firework Foundation.
‘I am excited to be performing at the Coronation Concert, and helping to shine a further light on the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, whose work includes on-ground initiatives to fundraising, with the aim to find solutions to child trafficking,’ Katy said.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald
Joining Katy on the Coronation Concert bill are Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, aka Take That.
The trio’s performance at the concert will be their first live show since the Odyssey Tour, four years ago in 2019.
Gary in particular has a long-standing relationship with the Royal Family.Having performed at several Royal Variety shows over the years, Gary also curated the concert outside Buckingham Palace for the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.
Lionel Richie
Lionel, a Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner, was also appointed The Prince’s Trust’s first global ambassador and is the chairman of the Global Ambassador Group.
The All Night Long singer, 73, said that it was an ‘honour’ to celebrate the event when the line-up was announced.
‘To share the stage with the other performers at the Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it will be an honour and a celebration.’
Dame Joanna Lumley
Dame Joanna Lumley is 100% confirmed to be involved with the coronation – she’ll be joining correspondents Alastair Bruce, Kay Burley, and Anna Botting as a special guest in the day’s news coverage.
The Absolutely Fabulous star, 76, will join Sky News fresh from attending the coronation service, the broadcaster confirmed.
Confirming her role, a statement read: ‘The actress will join the Sky News line-up on Saturday fresh from attending the coronation service at Westminster Abbey as a guest of the King and Queen Consort.’
Baroness Floella Benjamin
Another person who has a key role in the coronation is Baroness Floella Benjamin.
The former children’s TV presenter, 73 will carry the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove, one of the treasures which will play a starring role on the day.
Traditionally known as the Rod Of Equity And Mercy, it represents the King’s spiritual role.
Speaking about her involvement, she said she feels ‘honoured and privileged to be part of the ‘historic’ occasion.
‘To be selected to carry the Sovereign’s Sceptre With Dove, which represents spirituality, equity and mercy, is for me very symbolic as it’s everything I stand for and sends out a clear message that diversity and inclusion is being embraced,’ she added.
Jill Biden
One big name who’ll be absent, though, is American President Joe Biden.
The President personally called King Charles on April 3 to inform him that he would not be attending the coronation, but his wife and First Lady Jill Biden, 71, would attend on behalf of the United States.
However, the 80-year-old assured that he was looking forward to meeting the King on UK soil ‘at a future date.’
There’ll be plenty of world leaders and politicians at the coronation, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and leaders from Italy, Australia, Norway, the Philippines, Spain, and more.
David and Victoria Beckham
The Beckhams are no strangers to royal events.
The footie star, David, 47, and his fashion designer wife, 49, have rubbed royal shoulders on numerous occasions, including at the weddings of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Sandra Oh
The Canadian star, 51, was invited to the Queen’s funeral and had an official role in the ceremony as a member of the Order of Canada, a civilian honor established by Queen Elizabeth in 1967.
There are rumours that she might have received a coronation invitation in her letterbox.
Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls was at the Queen’s funeral, which he attended as chief scout.
It’s not wrong to think an invite for the coronation has probably been pushed to him since he is clearly an important figure to the Royal Family, having been granted an OBE for his services to young people and speaking highly of the late Queen, and new monarch King Charles, on numerous occasions.
