Coronation Concert live updates: when does it start, how to watch and who is performing at Windsor Castle?
Thousands enter the grounds of Windsor Castle for a coronation concert
A day after the coronation of King Charles III, much of the UK is turning its attention to Windsor Castle, where an extravagant concert is being held in honor of the new monarch.
Artists at the event include Take That, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, Sir Bryn Terfel and Alexis Ffrench.
The festivities begin at 8 p.m. If you don’t want to be there, you can follow the concert live on the BBC. The concert takes place on the east lawn of the castle grounds and is the first time an event of this type has been held on the estate.
Singer-songwriter Freya Ridings has had to withdraw from proceedings due to being unwell, while presenter Zoe Ball announced this morning that she too would be unable to attend.
During the celebrations, Met police were accused of a “totalitarian crackdown” on protesters, with police also being convicted of arresting night-time women’s safety volunteers.
You can find an overview of the best looks from yesterday’s coronation here.
Good evening! Tonight we hope to bring you entertaining coverage of the Coronation Concert, which will feature headliners Take That, Lionel Richie and Katie Perry, as well as opera singers Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel.
Here’s everything you need to know beforehand:
Roisin O’ConnorMay 7, 2023 6:09 p.m
Just one more hour… how is everyone?
Upset? Cold? Impatient?
Maybe like me you’re just feeling lucky not to have work in the morning…
A royal fan at the coronation
(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 7:00 p.m
(For those wondering, the “choir” in question is the Coronation Choir, a group formed from community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK, including refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBT+ singing groups and deaf choirs.
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 6:40 p.m
Music fans descend on Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert
Thousands of royal fans wearing a huge range of Union flag clothing – including dresses, hats, glasses and suits – have gathered at the show to celebrate the King’s coronation.
Sarah Edwards traveled more than two hours with her daughter Charlotte from Ipswich to the concert.
The mum told the PA news agency: “We watched the whole coronation on TV yesterday. We were very happy to be here today. I think it’s a big part of the story that my daughter gets to be a part of.
“I am very happy to be part of such a big day.”
Well-wishers had previously gathered on the Long Walk to watch local groups perform a range of songs, including a Windsor rock choir performing alongside a local theater company singing pieces from the musical Mathilde.
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to the Long Walk and spent half an hour speaking to a range of performers and visitors.
Faatimah and Hafsah Malik made the short drive from Slough to the concert. The couple were looking forward to watching Katy Perry and trying to catch a glimpse of the King.
Hafsah Malik said: “I would like to meet her. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was really shocking to win the tickets.
“I love Kate. She has a really nice style. It’s very simple but elegant.”
(Reuters)
Faatimah Malik met Charles when he was Prince on a visit to Birmingham and she has come to Windsor to try and see him again.
Meanwhile, Take That superfans Dawn Fenwick and Sian Gould are excited to see the group perform at Windsor Castle.
Ms Fenwick has been taking her daughter Ms Gould to Take That concerts since she was a child.
The couple traveled from High Wycombe to see one of their favorite groups and try to catch the royal family dancing along.
Ms Fenwick said: “I’m looking forward to seeing Charles have a bop. Being a part of it is why we are here. Too bad it’s not all five (Members of Take That).”
Roisin O’ConnorMay 7, 2023 6:33 p.m
Zoe Ball is out just hours before BBC’s coronation concert coverage
Presenter Zoe Ball has stopped presenting coverage of the BBC’s coronation concert in hours.
Taking to Twitter, Ball revealed to her followers that she had been uncomfortable leading up to the event. The concert will take place at Windsor Castle on Sunday (7 May), the day after King Charles III’s accession to the throne.
Roisin O’ConnorMay 7, 2023 6:23 p.m
I wonder if the choir will bring out this banger again…
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 6:20 p.m
Here’s what I’ve just learned – the BBC captures the weekend’s events with an amazing array of 150 different TV cameras.
May God have mercy on whoever does the editing…
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 6:00 p.m
ICYMI: A link to our explainer that will (hopefully) answer all your questions about the concert.
How to watch it, who’s performing, etc.
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 5:40 p.m
Among the artists performing tonight: 80’s music giant Steve Winwood.
Dennis Reynolds would be happy…
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 5:20 p.m
You may not have landed Paul, but there will still be a McCartney representation at Windsor Palace.
The former Beatles’ daughter Stella will give a speech on conservation.
Louis ChiltonMay 7, 2023 5:00 p.m
