Coronation concert: Global superstars perform at Windsor spectacular

Ten cities across the country also enjoyed drone light displays

Katy Perry performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023. Chris Jackson / AFP

Follow the latest news from the coronation of King Charles here

A host of performers from around the world came together at Windsor Castle on Sunday night for a star-studded concert to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The Coronation Concert was beamed on to large screens across the country and saw the Prince of Wales make a speech honouring his father the king, before performances by Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and Nicole Scherzinger.

Stars including Hugh Jackman, Pierce Brosnan, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls, Alan Titchmarsh and Sir Tom Jones sent recorded video messages in honour of the king throughout the concert, which was hosted by Hugh Bonneville.

Top Gun star Tom Cruise delivered a video message from his War Bird plane, saying: “Pilot to pilot. Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time,” before saluting and banking off.

Muppets stars Kermit and Miss Piggy also gave speeches, with the frog saying he was “honoured” to have been invited to the coronation.

At the same time, 10 towns and cities across the country were treated to “spectacular” light displays, while 1,000 drones took to the sky for a UK-first “multi-location drone show”.

The light display included the Welsh dragon spanning 140 metres, beamed into the sky above Cardiff to the soundtrack of Paloma Faith singing Lullaby, while James Nesbitt performed a spoken word piece written by Daljit Nagra, chairman of the Royal Society of Literature.

Coronation Concert - in pictures

Perry performs 'Firework' before 20,000 people, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Getty

Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7. AP

The packed audience inside the Windsor Castle grounds, west of London. AFP

The brightly lit stage at Windsor Castle. Getty

Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, performs at the Coronation Concert. PA

Scherzinger performs for King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royals. AP

Queen Camilla and King Charles join in the fun with other members of the royal family and guests in the Royal Box. PA

Lucy Illingworth on stage. Reuters

Steve Winwood leads a version of Higher Love. Reuters

English DJ Pete Tong performs at the Coronation Concert. Reuters

Gary Barlow of Take That joins his bandmates on stage. Reuters

Take That, from left, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow. Getty

British singer-songwriter Paloma Faith takes her turn on the Windsor Castle stage. AFP

Out with the mobiles ... audience members at the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP

Present in the Royal Box were Queen Camilla and King Charles, Katharine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Princess Eugenie, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty. Getty

Members of the 20,000-strong Coronation Concert crowd. Reuters

Lionel Richie performs with his band. Reuters

Richie in full flight. AFP

Sir Bryn Terfel, left, and Andrea Bocelli bring their version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to the Coronation Concert. Getty

Mei Mac and Ncuti Gatwa take to the stage. Getty

British singer Zak Abel performs. AP

A string quartet entertains the crowd. AFP

Dancers from the Royal Ballet. AFP

Prince William gives a touching address about his father, King Charles. Getty

Prince George and his father Prince William enjoy the show, alongside Mr Sunak and Ms Murty. AFP

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage on stage during the Coronation Concert. Getty

Savage onstage inside the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP

Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her daughter Princess Charlotte enjoy the show. AFP

Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor on stage. Getty

King Charles waves as he arrives at his Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AFP

British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP

British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP

Choirmaster Gareth Malone leads the way. AP

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, with Lady Louise Windsor, centre. AFP

Zara and Mike Tindall danced for much of the night. AFP

Hit makers including Katy Perry, who sang Roar and Firework, and Lionel Richie, who played renditions of Easy and All Night Long, entertained the 20,000-strong audience backed by a world-class 70-piece orchestra.

Take That then took to the stage with Greatest Day, Shine and, to close the show, Never Forget, featuring an intro from the Choristers of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The 300-strong Coronation Choir, conducted by Gareth Malone, performed an uplifting version of the Emeli Sande song Brighter Days, while Steve Winwood sang his hit song Higher Love, accompanied by the Commonwealth virtual choir with singers from more than 40 countries.

Light display to celebrate coronation of King Charles III - in pictures

The Palace of Westminster is lit up in red, white and blue during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Getty

Another view of the Palace of Westminster, and Lambeth Bridge, lit up for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 07. Getty

Lambeth Bridge is lit red for the occasion. Getty

A drone light show during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AP

The drone light show. AP

Another shot of the drone show at Windsor Castle. AP

The stunning light show produced by a swarm of drones at the Coronation Concert. AP

The drone light show continues. Getty

A message spelt out by the swarm of drones at Windsor Castle. AP

Tyne Bridge in Newcastle joins 'Lighting up the Nation' after the coronation. Reuters

The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle. Reuters

The Blackpool Tower is another of the national landmarks lit up for King Charles's coronation. Reuters

The Blackpool Tower. Reuters

The evening also saw a collaboration between five Royal patronages — the Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art — who came together for the first time to perform Somewhere from West Side Story.

Other collaborations included Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel, who sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Lang Lang and Nicole Scherzinger, who performed Reflection from Mulan.