Princess Alexandra’s granddaughter Flora Vesterberg was elegant in a black and white gown as she lead the minor royals attending the star-studded Coronation concert tonight.
Take That, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and others will be taking to the stage in Windsor for a musical extravaganza following the King’s coronation yesterday.
Members of the wider royal family missed out on invites to the occasion at Westminster Abbey yesterday – but they were out in force this evening as they showed their support for the new King and Queen.
It comes after Buckingham Palace said the King and Queen were ‘deeply touched’ by the nation’s celebration of their coronation.
More than 18 million people in the UK tuned in to watch the ceremony on TV, compared with 26.5 million for the late Queen’s funeral in September.
Princess Alexandra’s granddaughter Flora Vesterberg was elegant in a black and white gown as she lead the minor royals attending the star-studded Coronation concert tonight
The concert came after Buckingham Palace issued the first public statement on behalf of Charles and Camilla since they were crowned.
A Palace spokesman said the King and Queen were ‘profoundly grateful’ for all those involved in organising the celebrations and ceremony, and the spectators who attended the day.
‘Their Majesties were deeply touched by the events of yesterday and profoundly grateful both to all those who helped to make it such a glorious occasion – and to the very many who turned out to show their support in such numbers in London and further afield,’ he said.
The King, Queen and royal family have joined around 20,000 members of the public at the musical extravaganza.
Heir to the throne William is to take to the stage to deliver a speech during the event in the grounds of Windsor Castle, with Kensington Palace sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the prince during rehearsals.
The show, hosted by Downton Abbey and Paddington actor Hugh Bonneville, will see Hollywood star Tom Cruise, Dynasty actress Dame Joan Collins, adventurer Bear Grylls and singer Sir Tom Jones appear via video message.
The series of pre-recorded sketches will reveal little-known facts about the monarch and include moments from beloved literary character Winnie the Pooh – seemingly echoing the famous moment Paddington Bear drank tea with the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
There will also be performances by Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, veteran singer Steve Winwood – whose grandson Arthur Eliot was one of Camilla’s pages of honour – and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.
Classical acts including Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and Chinese pianist Lang Lang will perform too.
The Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art will come together for the first time to create a one-off performance featuring Sex Education and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Olivier Award nominee Mei Mac.
Thousands of street parties have been held across the country with people encouraged to come together for the Coronation Big Lunch.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, hosted a lunch in Downing Street, inviting volunteers, Ukrainian refugees and youth group members.
Meanwhile, Camilla asked for her coronation bouquet of English spring flowers to be placed on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in the coronation church, Westminster Abbey.
The simple posy, including auriculas, the late Queen’s favourite lily of the valley, and one of Charles’ favourites hellebores, by the King and Queen’s go-to florist, Shane Connolly, was laid at the memorial.
Royal brides traditionally send their bouquets to be placed there the day after their weddings in a tradition started by the Queen Mother.
Camilla did not carry the flowers on Saturday as it was a coronation not a wedding, the Palace said.
