All the highlights from King Charles’ star-studded Coronation Concert

A British movie star’s cheeky joke about Charles triggered an awkward reaction from the King at the coronation concert in the UK.

King Charles laughed and then grimaced after a joke in the opening monologue. Picture: BBC

It’s a party in the United Kingdom.

The blockbuster Coronation Concert has lit up Windsor overnight to celebrate the crowning of King Charles III.

Charles, Queen Camilla and the rest of the British royal family were in attendance at the star-studded spectacle, which Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Take That headlined.

In what was the highlight for the 20,000 attendees, William, Prince of Wales made a heartwarming speech in honour of his father and the late Queen.

Charles grimaces at cheeky monologue joke

King Charles laughed and then grimaced after a joke in the opening monologue. Picture: BBC

Downton Abbey actor Hugh Boneville hosted formalities, and opened with a hilarious monologue that, at one point, triggered a rather awkward reaction from Charles.

The 59-year-old UK star started his speech by congratulating the newly-crowned King and Queen, before paying tribute to Charles’ love of the arts.

“He himself is a painter, an artist… The artist formerly known as prince,” Boneville said, in reference to the late music legend.

Charles, 74, let out a burst of laughter before grimacing at the witty line.

Audience members watch acts performing on a stage inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/AFP

Prince William’s heartfelt tribute to Queen, Charles

William delivered a heartfelt speech about his father, prompting a rare moment of emotion from Charles.

The King appeared to lower his head with a sad smile as his son spoke of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and how proud she’d be of the work he’s doing.

William's heartwarming speech appeared to make Charles emotional.

“As my grandmother said when she was crowned, coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future, and I know she’s up there fondly keeping an eye on us, and is a very proud mother,” William said.

He also gave a rare insight into their private relationship, addressing his father by the personal nickname he uses for him: “Pa, we are all so proud of you.”

Read the full speech here.

Katy Perry, Take That and Lionel Richie headline

US pop star Katy Perry put on a majestic show for her part of the concert, performing her mega hits Roar and Firework.

Perry wore a billowing gold gown as an illuminated Windsor Castle played the backdrop for the line-up of performers.

As the camera flashed to the royal box, Princess Charlotte, 8, was seen singing along the lyrics to Perry’s pop tunes.

Princess Charlotte singing along to Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ at the #CoronationConcert 😍 pic.twitter.com/9gILakGXVr

— Belle (@RoyallyBelle_) May 7, 2023

Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Elsewhere, Lionel Richie got all the royals on their feet as he sang All Night Long, with Charles even sharing in a boogie.

But it was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh who stole the show with her moves:

The Duchess of Edinburgh dancing along to Lionel Ritchie #CoronationConcertpic.twitter.com/vxHqWElccN

— Royal Central (@RoyalCentral) May 7, 2023

Take That - sans Robbie Williams - closed the two-hour show with performances of Shine and Greatest Day.

“Wow this is a backdrop innit,” Mark Owen remarked.

Hugh Jackman, Tom Cruise among cameos

Australian actor Hugh Jackman made a surprise appearance via pre-recorded video.

In the short clip, the Wolverine star gushed over the King’s love of theatre and acting.

Hugh Jackman has made a surprise appearance via a big screen cameo at the coronation concert.

“Your Majesty, a little birdy told me you were quite a thespian,” Jackman said. “I’ll be over there in summer doing a little movie, so maybe you could come and grace us with your presence.”

His inclusion in the tributes for Charles was a little unexpected, given he previously spoke publicly in support of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, praising them for lifting the lid on their issues within the monarchy in their explosive 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview.

Meanwhile, Tom Cruise was also featured in the package, in a Top Gun inspired video specially filmed for His Majesty.

Flying a plane with his name penned on the side, Cruise said, “You can be my wingman anytime.”

Tom Cruise tells the King he can be his "wingman".

The royals in the building

The royals sparked a huge cheer of “hooray” from the crowd as they took their seats before the show kicked off.

Charles and Camilla looked remarkably more relaxed than they had during Saturday’s coronation event, and waved and smiled at the other concert-goers from the royal box.

Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales, were joined by Prince George, 9, and Princess Charlotte, 8, who excitedly played with their glow-in-the-dark bracelets.

The Waleses are in the building. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prince Louis, 5, was nowhere to be seen - and was presumably already tucked up in bed given the concert’s late start time.

A recording of the King talking was playing the background as the music got underway, with a high-energy number by opening act Vula and Jerub, with DJ Pete Tong.

Prince George is huge AC/DC fan

Ahead of the event, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton attended a street party in Windsor, where the Prince of Wales revealed rare insight into Prince George’s personality.

William reportedly told a woman from the Rock Choir that the nine-year-old future heir was a big fan of rock bands AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

He made the comments to Caroline Mulvihill from the Rock Choir, PA reported.

Prince George is a rock fan! Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

“We were talking about the kind of music we do in Rock Choir and William was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It was quite interesting to hear that,” Caroline told the publication.

The concert ran with the theme of ‘Light up the Nation’.

Light displays sparkled across the UK as the show unfolded, with iconic locations lighting up with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

William and Kate delight crowds ahead of concert

Prince and Princess of the people! Picture: Andrew Matthews-WPA Pool/Getty Images

It comes after the Prince and Princess of Wales rocked up to a street party in Windsor on Sunday, much to the delight of punters.

They arrived at a Coronation Big Lunch along the Long Walk leading up to Windsor Castle, making the short trip from Adelaide Cottage, to which they moved last year.

The crowd of hundreds went wild as the popular royals hopped out of their car and joined in on the celebrations, which were taking place across the UK following King Charles’ crowning on Saturday.

After her showstopping Alexander McQueen ensemble at the coronation, the Princess of Wales was considerably dressed down by comparison for the street party, wearing flat shoes, a white top and pale blue blazer.

At one stage during the festivities, a woman handed the Prince of Wales a paper cup of gin, which William sipped trustingly before passing it on to his wife.

“Oh, that’s lovely,” Kate said after trying the beverage.

The pair mingled with fans for about 45 minutes, with one heartwarming moment showing Kate comforting a young girl who was overwhelmed with emotion to see the royal in the flesh.