Lionel Richie admitted he was “surprised” to be asked to perform at the UK’s King Charles III coronation concert. As part of the celebrations for Charles’ coronation on 6 May, there will be a live concert at Windsor Castle the following day on 7 May and will be broadcast by the BBC.

Artists to take part include Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, as well as pop group Take That with a new line-up.

Speaking to People about taking part, Richie said that despite knowing King Charles for a long time, being asked to sing at the concert was an “honour”. “I mean, you don’t go into the music business and say, ‘You know, I’m going to be at the coronation of the king.’ That never happens,” said the American singer, songwriter, record producer.

“It’s a surprise and an honor,” he said, adding that it’s important that out of all the names out there, he received an invitation from King Charles.

Asked why he was looking forward to the event, Lionel Richie explained: ‘Are you kidding? I want to see the grandeur and the details because I don’t care what you think Michael Jackson did. I don’t care what you think Prince did. I don’t care what you think Madonna did.”

“There has been nothing like it. it will be the most imposing of the imposing’.

The concert will also feature Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli and Welsh basso-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, as well as singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classic soul composer Alexis Frenz.