With an emotional speech, heir to the throne Prince William has his father, King Charles III. appreciated. “Pa, we are all so proud of you,” said the 40-year-old on Sunday evening at the big coronation concert at Windsor Castle. His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, called coronations “a statement of our hopes for the future.” “And I know she’s up there, lovingly keeping an eye on us. And she would make a very proud mother,” William said.
In the afternoon, Prince William had already indicated on social media that he would still have an appearance in the evening.
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Charles has vowed to continue serving the country and nation, William said, citing his father’s heart issues: nature, social support and diversity. After “God Save the King” he finished his speech, stage and castle were lit up with the colors of the British flag and the national anthem was played.
The newly crowned royal couple Charles III. and Queen Camilla was in a good mood in the Royal Box at the concert with a large line-up of stars and a colorful light show in her honour.
From coronation robes to concert robes: King Charles III. and his wife Queen Camilla.
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A host of top musicians performed in front of the castle’s illuminated backdrop, including Andrea Bocelli and Welsh opera star Bryn Terfel, who sang the football anthem ‘You Never Walk Alone’ together.
Two opera greats on stage: Sir Bryn Terfel (left) and Andrea Bocelli (right).
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“This is an opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime,” said Lionel Richie to journalists a few days ago about his appearance at the coronation concert – and then he was on stage on Sunday. The American soul singer has known the new king for many years through working together for charity. “Believe me, he really cares, he tackles,” Richie said of the monarch.
Lionel Richie.
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Popular cartoon characters Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog also made an appearance. Later, pop star Katy Perry sang, among others.
Katy Perry.
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And the British boy band “Take That” did not miss this unique opportunity.
Howard Donald and Gary Barlow here with British singer Callum Scott.
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A special coronation chorus was put together especially for the concert. The 300 performers who recited Emile Sande’s “Brighter Days” included a fire brigade choir, a choir of deaf-mutes and an all-female choir of South Asian women, among others.
The specially formed Coronation Choir.
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For the first time there was a collaboration between five royal patrons: Royal Ballet, Royal Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal College of Music and Royal College of Art. They performed a mixture of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and Leonard Bernstein’s musical “West Side Story”. ” on.
The two dancers Marcelino Sambe and Francesca Hayward.
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The concert was moderated by the British actor Hugh Bonneville, known for example from the series “Downton Abbey”. The theme of the evening was ‘Lighting Up The Nation’ and ten different locations across the UK were illuminated. In Windsor itself, a gigantic drone show was played in the night sky.
A drone owl in the sky over Windsor.
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Half of the approximately 20,000 concert tickets had been raffled among the British population – people who have rendered special services to the community were also invited. The concert was also broadcast on big screens in London and other UK cities.
The “Blackpool Tower” was illuminated during the concert.
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However, this year’s concert could not keep up with the star line-up at the anniversary concert in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, at which Queen, Elton John, Alicia Keys and Rod Stewart performed in front of Buckingham Palace in London last year. According to reports, several requested stars – such as Ed Sheeran, Elton John or Kylie Minogue – have declined the invitation because of other commitments.
After the party is before the party is still party
Hardly any of the famous guests had time to rest that afternoon. Brits celebrated with friends and family at thousands of street parties. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, for example, hosted a plaque on Downing Street, decorated with red, white and blue pennants. Even the First Lady of the USA, Jill Biden, showed up at this party.
A sandwich for the First Lady: Jill Biden and Rishi Sunak at Downing Street.
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Earlier, Charles and Camilla wished everyone a lot of fun at the “Coronation Big Lunch” in the afternoon. “Whether this is your first Big Lunch or it’s on the calendar every year, we send our best wishes to everyone involved,” Charles and Camilla wrote in a message on the royals’ Instagram. “We hope it will be a great event for everyone.”
At the “Big Lunch” people meet for a banquet on the street. The street festivals have been celebrated since 2009 and are intended to promote contacts between neighbors and combat loneliness. It also collects for charity. A special recipe was even created for the coronation celebrations and published by the palace in good time: the “Coronation Quiche” with spinach, beans and tarragon.
Some royals also stopped by these lunches: Charles’ sister Princess Anne (72) and her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence (68) at a celebration in Swindon. Prince Edward (59) and his wife Sophie (58) attended a celebration in Cranleigh, Surrey.
Organic beer with dad’s face: Prince William and his wife Kate at one of the coronation lunches.
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Heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Kate surprised several hundred cheering royal fans near their home in Windsor with a visit to the Long Walk in front of Windsor Castle.