Sophia Michaels
Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli have agreed to perform at the upcoming coronation concert for King Charles III, despite a succession of artists refusing to do so. On Friday, the BBC announced the lineup for the event taking place on Sunday, May 7, one day after Charles, 47, and Queen Camilla are crowned the UK’s new sovereigns.
Perry, 38, Richie, 73, and Bocelli, 64, are among the brightest stars on the roster, which also includes British pop group Take That, as well as Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings and Alexis Ffrench. The concert will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history with themes of love, respect and optimism.
Perry and Richie have known Charles for years, having served as ambassadors for his charities. Perry has been an ambassador of the British Asian Trust since 2020, while Richie was appointed as the first global ambassador and first chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for the Prince’s Trust in 2019.
“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,” Perry said in a statement. Richie also commented on his involvement in the event: “To share the stage with the other performers at The Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it will be an honor and a celebration.”
Despite the agreement of Perry, Richie and Bocelli to perform, many musicians weren’t interested in being a part of the program. Adele, Elton John, Robbie Williams and the Spice Girls are among the acts who turned down invitations to put on a show for the newly crowned king. Experts have surmised that artists are fearful of being associated with the scandal-scarred monarchy.
A bevy of notable names are expected to attend the event — including Charles’ youngest son, Prince Harry. However, Harry’s wife Meghan Markle will stay home in California with their two kids. The BBC is set to stream the Coronation Concert on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
