Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and performers perform at King Charles III’s coronation

Katy Perry, Lionel Ritchie and Andrea Bocelli will headline Charles III’s coronation concert in London in May, according to the BBC this Friday (14). The event will not feature British artists. The event will also feature the band Take That and classical music composer Alexis Ffrench, to an expected crowd of 20,000 at Windsor Castle, about 40 kilometers west of London, the day after the coronation on May 6. .

“The concert will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history, with themes of love, respect and optimism, celebrating the four nations, their communities and the Commonwealth,” said the BBC, which will broadcast the event.

A choir formed by fans of different professionals, including lifeguards, taxi drivers and reggae bands, is also planned, as well as a virtual choir formed by representatives of the Commonwealth, an alliance of nations formed mainly by former British colonies.

The show’s announcement confirms press reports that top British stars such as Elton John, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles have declined to take part. Last year, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Elizabeth II’s reign, they performed at Buckingham Palace – artists from Queen, with Adam Lambert, to Duran Duran, Alicia Keys and Rod Stewart. Elton John recorded a tribute.

REALITY

The coronation of Charles III, the first event of its kind since Elizabeth’s appointment in 1953, does not seem to be getting Brits excited at the moment. Now, the population seems more worried about an extremely high inflation that caused a serious social crisis, in addition to the country having passed by the jubilee of Elizabeth II last June and her funeral in September.

According to a YouGov poll published this Friday (14), almost two-thirds of Britons (64%) and 75% of young people are not interested, but 46% think they will watch the broadcast or attend one of the planned celebrations.

The coronation itself, on May 6, will be held at Westminster Abbey for 2,000 guests and should last an hour, in a more modest format than that of Elizabeth II (with 8,000 guests and three hours in duration).

Several kings and foreign leaders will attend. US President Joe Biden has already stated that he will be represented by his wife Jill, and Prince Harry, youngest son of Charles III at odds with the royal family, will attend without his wife Meghan.