Lionel Richie reveals being selected as performer at King Charles Coronation Concert was ‘surprise’

Lionel Richie said it was a “surprise” and an “honor” to be named as a performer at King Charles’ upcoming coronation.

The 73-year-old legendary singer while attending the Breakthrough Awards on Saturday at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles told People about performing at the coronation alongside Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Take That.

“I mean, you don’t get on the case and say, ‘You know what? I will be at the king’s coronation.’ You know, that just never comes up,” Richie said. ‘[It’s] Ah, a surprise. B, what an honor. And C, the fact of all the names he could have had before, he called my name.’

Richie noted that he has known Charles, 74, “for a long time” and added: “I’m really celebrating him stepping into the king role now.”

The All Night Long singer said he was looking forward to the full pageantry of the upcoming coronation.

“I want to see the pomp and circumstance because I don’t care what you thought Michael Jackson did. I don’t care what you thought Prince did. I don’t care what you thought Madonna was doing. Nothing will be like this. This is the grandiose of the grandiose here,’ Richie said.

Other artists who will perform at the coronation concert on May 7 include Sir Bryn Terfel, Freya Ridings and Alexis Ffrench.

Around 20,000 members of the public will attend the Coronation Concert, which will be broadcast on BBC1 and Radio 2, along with catch-up services.

According to the BBC, the concert will “celebrate a new chapter in the country’s history” and will have “themes of love, respect and optimism” while celebrating the “four nations” and the Commonwealth.

Richie became The Prince’s Trust’s first global ambassador in 2019.

The concert is accompanied by a 70-piece orchestra and a ‘house band’ consisting of the Massed Bands of the Household Division and the Countess of Wessex’s string orchestra.

There will also be the support of The Coronation Choir – a diverse group of performers including shanty singers, taxi drivers, farmers and reggae choirs.

Landmarks and venues across the UK will also be illuminated with lasers, drone displays and lighting, the BBC said when announcing the party line-up last week.

Upcoming coronation: King Charles III, shown Friday in Camberley, England, will be crowned May 6 at Westminster Abbey

Longtime collaborators: Lionel and Charles, shown in March 2019 in Bridgetown, Barbados, have known each other for a long time

Charlotte Moore, BBC chief content officer, said: ‘We have a world-class line-up of performers to look forward to for what promises to be a very special night of partying and entertainment.’

The coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as King and Queen of the United Kingdom will take place in Westminster Abbey on May 6.

Charles ascended the throne last September after the death of his mother, Elizabeth II.

It will be the 40th coronation at Westminster Abbey since 1066 and the first coronation of a British monarch in the 21st century.

Grandiose Affair: “I want to see the pomp and circumstance because I don’t care what you thought Michael Jackson did. I don’t care what you thought Prince did. I don’t care what you thought Madonna was doing. Nothing will be like this. This is the grandiose of the grandiose here,” said Richie, shown in April 2022 at The Prince’s Trust Gala in New York City