Bette Midler performs at the coronation of King Charles alongside Lionel Richie and Take That
Bette Midler reportedly performs at King Charles’ coronation concert.
The American singer, 77, will fly to the UK next month on Sunday May 7 for the special live performance.
According to The sunplays Bette along with Lionel Richie and Take That at the free concert for 10,000 people.
The booking will come as a relief to organizers, who have reportedly struggled to book talent at the last minute.
A source told the publication: “While booking artists has not been easy, due to busy schedules and the last-minute nature of the gig, bosses are quietly confident that this is going to be a very special event.
Legendary: Bette Midler reportedly performs at King Charles’ coronation concert
Surprise! The American singer, 77, will fly to the UK next month on Sunday May 7 for the special live performance.
“Bringing in a Hollywood star like Bette is a real coup and she will add real old school glamor to the lineup. Bette is very happy that she is participating, she considers it an honor.
‘Organizers pull out all the stops to give people a real spectacle, there is something for everyone.’
Bette has a history with the Royal Family having performed on the Royal Variety Performance show twice before, in 2009 and 2014.
Of her meeting with the Queen, she said: ‘When I was a child I went to the public library. I remember looking in the magazine and seeing a picture of a beautiful young girl kneeling down and getting a crown.
These black and white photos made a big impression on me, I never recovered from them. I’ve been a fan of hers for years. I was nervous.’
To date, pop juggernauts Ed Sheeran, Adele, Sir Elton John and Harry Styles have politely declined the chance to perform live at Windsor Castle on May 7, the day after King Charles is officially crowned at Westminster Abbey.
No doubt it’s a bitter blow to the monarch, who reportedly personally requested Adele and Sheeran, only because scheduling issues got in the way of their chances of making history.
Indeed, Sheeran – who closed out the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant last June – will be performing in Texas the day before Charles is crowned.
Adele also wouldn’t show up for less public reasons, despite her lucrative Las Vegas residency coming to an end on March 25.
Meanwhile, Styles — another Charles favorite — is in the midst of his worldwide Love On Tour roadshow, though his schedule is clear from March 26 to May 13, when he performs in Denmark.
Sir Elton John, a close friend of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has also turned down the chance to appear on stage at Windsor Castle.
Leading the way: Take That is credited as headlining the show, and former member Jason Orange is rumored to be rejoining the band for the historic occasion
All night long: Motown legend Lionel Ritchie was also set to perform after Diana Ross performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
Elsewhere, the BBC has launched an X Factor-style talent search to find singers for a Coronation Choir.
Singers of all types, from beginner beatboxers to professional jazz performers, are encouraged to apply for the choir.
Agencies acting on behalf of BBC Studios have been asked to invite applications from the public and the contestants will be filmed for a television show documenting their bid to perform for the King.
Prospective choristers are being asked to submit show-reel videos which will be curated by BBC Studios and televised as part of the channel’s build-up.