Lionel Richie (73) can hardly believe that he was at the coronation concert for King Charles III. (74) is allowed to stand on stage. “I mean, you don’t go into the business and say, ‘You know what? I’m going to be at the coronation of the king,'” he was quoted as saying by the US magazine “People”. The singer will perform at Windsor Castle on May 7, 2023 – the day after the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
In relation to “People”, Lionel Richie highlights three aspects that go through his mind when he thinks about the concert. “A: It’s a surprise. B: What an honor. C: The fact that out of all the names he could have given for it, he said my name.”
For him, the coronation gig is an event that, from his point of view, eclipses everything that great colleagues of his generation have achieved. “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. Nothing will ever be the same here”. For Richie, the royal appearance is “the greatest”.
The US singer and the new British king have known each other for many years. Lionel Richie has been an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust since 2019. The charity was founded by Charles in 1976 when he was heir to the British throne.
“I’m really happy that he’s king now,” explains Richie about the royal, who has long been mocked as the “eternal heir to the throne”. “He’s held the role of prince for a long time, but I’m excited to see what he’s going to change about his reign,” Richie continued. “Besides, I know him as a wonderful person.”
In addition to Lionel Richie, several top-class guest stars will appear on May 7th. Among others, Take That and Andrea Bocelli (64) have confirmed. Another US pop star, Katy Perry (38), is also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.
Many big names like Elton John (76), Adele (34), Harry Styles (29) or the Spice Girls are said to have canceled due to scheduling conflicts.
