Hugh Bonneville arrives at King Charles’ star-studded Coronation concert
Hugh Bonneville was looking good as he arrived at King Charles’ star-studded Coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday night.
The Downton Abbey star, 59, will host the huge event which will see performances by Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.
Hugh looked smart in a three-piece green suit paired with a crisp white shirt.
He completed the look with shiny black shoes and looked in high spirits for the big night.
Also arriving on the red carpet were Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, rocker Steve Winwood and blind pianist and winner of Channel 4’s The Piano Lucy Illingworth, 13.
Host: Hugh Bonneville cut a smart figure as he arrived at King Charles’ star-studded Coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday night
Big names: The Downton Abbey star, 59, will host the huge event which will see performances by Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls
Prior to hosting, Hugh said on BBC Radio 2: ‘It’s very exciting and I have no idea how to do it! BBC called me and asked if I was free and I didn’t know it was!
‘I didn’t know how big it would be! It’s a huge backyard. It is a true reflection of the king’s interest as well as great music. I’ve seen some rehearsals.
“I had a taste when I saw Take That rehearsing the final earlier. And it’s going to be fantastic!’
The King and Queen of the Royal Family will be in attendance at the coronation concert along with around 20,000 members of the public to continue the festivities following their coronation at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
The Coronation Concert will feature performances by Paloma Faith, Olly Murs and veteran rock guitarist Steve Winwood.
The Windsor show, hosted by Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh, kicks off at 8pm on Sunday 7th May.
Buckingham Palace has promised “global music icons and contemporary stars” for the big concert.
It will undoubtedly be the highlight of the second day of the coronation celebrations, which are expected to attract around 20,000 people.
Classical acts such as Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and Chinese pianist Lang Lang are also on the programme.
Hollywood star Tom Cruise, Dynasty actress Dame Joan Collins, adventurer Bear Grylls, singer Sir Tom Jones and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse will also be featured via video.
The series of pre-recorded skits reveals little-known facts about the monarch and also features moments from beloved literary character Winnie-the-Pooh – seemingly echoing the famous moment Paddington Bear had tea with the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebration.
Star: Hugh looked smart in a three-piece green suit paired with a crisp white shirt
Outfit: He completed the look with shiny black shoes and looked in high spirits for the big night
Stars: Also arriving on the red carpet were Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, rocker Steve Winwood and blind pianist and winner of Channel 4’s The Piano Lucy Illingworth, 13
Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage, DJ Pete Tong with his project Ibiza Classics and winner of the talent show The Piano TV, 13-year-old Lucy, will also perform.
Meanwhile, fashion designer Stella McCartney will give a spoken-word performance on the theme of conservation that will reflect her and the king’s “shared passion for environmental sustainability,” according to the BBC.
Her performance will be part of a wider nature-themed portion of the concert, which will also feature a rendition of an 1980s hit by classic soul composer Alexis French and London-based singer-songwriter Zak Abel alongside a resident orchestra, band and choir.
Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor will also deliver a spoken word performance.
The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal College of Music and Royal College of Art come together for the first time to create a one-off performance starring Sex Education and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Olivier Award nominee Mei Mac.
The concert will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
Exciting: Prior to hosting, Hugh said on BBC Radio 2: ‘It’s very exciting and I have no idea how to do it! BBC called me and asked if I was free and I didn’t know it was!’
He added: ‘I didn’t know how big it would be! It’s a huge backyard. It is a true reflection of the king’s interest as well as great music. I’ve seen some rehearsal’
Huge: The king and queen of the royal family join about 20,000 members of the public at the coronation concert
Hurrah! Buckingham Palace has promised “global music icons and contemporary stars” for the big concert
Upcoming: The Windsor show, hosted by Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh, kicks off at 8pm on Sunday, May 7
Former Desert Island Discs and Crimewatch presenter Kirsty Young will anchor the special live broadcast of the concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle after reporting from a studio at Buckingham Palace on Saturday’s coronation day.
During the concert on the castle’s East Lawn, TV presenter Clara Amfo and Diversity dance troupe member Jordan Banjo will also speak with the performers backstage.
At Saturday’s coronation, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were officially crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
King Charles, 74, automatically took over the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, last September.