The coronation of King Charles III is set to take place on May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. The day after the coronation, there will be a special concert held at Windsor Castle to celebrate the new monarch. With many members of the royal family in attendance at the coronation, speculation is high over which royals will also show up for the concert the following evening.
What is the coronation concert?
The coronation concert, titled “The Coronation Concert”, will be a star-studded event featuring performances by some of the world’s biggest musical artists and performers. It will be held on May 7, 2023 in the private grounds of Windsor Castle. The concert will be broadcast live on the BBC and it is expected to attract a global television audience of hundreds of millions.
Some of the performers already confirmed include:
- Ed Sheeran
- Elton John
- Alicia Keys
- Hans Zimmer
- Duran Duran
- George Ezra
In addition to the live performances, the show will also feature appearances by British and global acting legends who will reflect on the King’s life and legacy.
The concert aims to unite global audiences in celebration of King Charles III and his reign. It will blend world-class musical performances with stunning projections, effects and staging. The performances will be backed by the Platinum Jubilee Concert Orchestra, featuring some of the UK’s most renowned musicians.
Why is it significant?
The Coronation Concert holds much significance and will be a historic event for several reasons:
- It will be the first major public event held by the royal family to mark King Charles III’s coronation.
- It will give people around the world a chance to join in the coronation celebrations.
- The royal attendance will make it an iconic moment, showcasing continuity of the British monarchy.
- The star-studded line-up and performances will provide entertainment and joy after the more formal coronation service.
- It will demonstrate the new King’s support for the arts, music and culture.
For these reasons and more, the concert is hotly anticipated not just by those in Britain, but by royal fans across the globe.
Which members of the royal family are likely to attend?
While no official guest list has been released yet, it is expected that most working members of the royal family will be present for the celebrations.
The New King and Queen Consort
Obviously, the guest of honor will be King Charles III along with his wife, Queen Consort Camilla. The concert is being held in their honor and they will likely sit in a prominent spot to enjoy the performances.
The New Prince and Princess of Wales
Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, will undoubtedly attend the concert with their eldest children Prince George and Princess Charlotte. This will mark one of the first major public events for William and Kate in their new roles. Their attendance with the future heir George is significant.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex and their children Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn will very likely attend the concert festivities as working royals.
Princess Anne
The King’s sister and the Princess Royal Anne is expected to be at the concert along with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence. Anne is known for her dedication to royal duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and his wife Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester are likely to be present. The Duke of Gloucester is the cousin of the King and an active working royal.
The Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, who is the King’s paternal first cousin, is also expected to be in attendance with his wife Katharine, the Duchess of Kent.
Member of Royal Family | Likelihood of Attending |
---|---|
King Charles III | Confirmed – It’s being held in his honor |
Queen Consort Camilla | Confirmed – Will accompany the King |
Prince William | Highly likely |
Princess Catherine | Highly likely |
Prince George | Likely |
Princess Charlotte | Likely |
Prince Louis | Unlikely – Too young |
Prince Harry | Unlikely – Lives abroad |
Working royals Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall
Other royals who are not full-time working royals but hold their own royal titles, such as Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall may make an appearance at the concert as well. However, it is less certain.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle?
There has been much speculation over whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will travel from California to attend the coronation events. Their attendance is doubtful, given their step down from royal duties and move abroad. But it’s not completely implausible that they may make an appearance at the concert to honor Harry’s father.
Will there be any overseas royal guests?
In addition to British and European royals, overseas royal family members from other nations of the Commonwealth are likely to be invited as a gesture of goodwill.
Royals from Commonwealth Realms
Royals that may attend from countries that recognize King Charles III as their monarch could include:
- Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada and other Canadian officials
- Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General and representatives from Commonwealth organizations
- Governor-Generals from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu
European and Other Royal Relatives
There is a chance that some of King Charles III’s European royal relatives might be present, such as:
- King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
- King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden
- Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
- King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
- King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
- Prince Albert II of Monaco
Some royals from the Middle East, Asia and Africa may also possibly attend.
What about performers’ guests?
It’s very likely that the musical artists, actors and performers participating in the Coronation Concert will be allowed some VIP guests to attend.
Seating areas near the stage will probably be reserved for the performers’ families, friends and celebrity guests. This may include high-profile figures from the music industry, movie stars and entertainment personalities.
Some performer guests could potentially include:
- Spouses and partners such as David Furnish (Elton John’s husband)
- Fellow musicians like Ed Sheeran’s close friends
- Actor friends of those participating
- Music producers and executives from the artists’ management teams and record labels
The star-studded guest list will make the concert even more exciting and glamorous!
How many people are expected to attend in total?
The exact capacity and seating arrangements are still being worked out. The private grounds of Windsor Castle provide ample space for large crowds.
Some estimates suggest the Coronation Concert could host around 10,000 to 20,000 people. For comparison, around 22,000 people attended the Platinum Jubilee concert held outside Buckingham Palace last year.
However, as the Windsor Castle venue is more enclosed than the public areas around Buckingham Palace, the Coronation Concert capacity may be on the lower end of 10,000-15,000.
Seating will be arranged around staged areas for the performers, big screens to view performances, and walkways. There will also be standing room areas closer to the stage.
Royals and VIP attendees will get priority seating in a central zone nearest to the performers’ stages. There will also be tiers of seating fanning out from this VIP section for other attendees. Behind the seated zones there will be open standing room zones.
Seating breakdown estimates:
- Royal family members & overseas royal guests: ~150-200
- Performer VIP guests: ~750-1000
- Seated concert attendees: ~8000-10,000
- Standing zone concert attendees: ~2000-3000
So in total, between 10,000 – 15,000 people may be able to enjoy the Coronation Concert live within the grounds of Windsor Castle. The global television audience is expected to be in the hundreds of millions.
Conclusion
The star-studded Coronation Concert promises to be a joyful, uplifting event bringing people together through music. Members of the royal family will be out in force to celebrate King Charles III’s reign. We can expect to see British royals like Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, Anne, Edward and Sophie among others. Overseas royal guests, especially from the Commonwealth Realms, are also likely. The performers’ A-list guests will add even more glamor and excitement. While exact numbers are still tentative, up to 15,000 attendees are predicted at Windsor Castle, plus a massive worldwide television audience. With showstopping performances and the glow of royals, the Coronation Concert is sure to make history.