King Charles, Queen Camilla make surprise cameo on American Idol

The new King of the United Kingdom and his queen shocked viewers when their first order of business was an appearance on a hit reality show.

American Idol viewers were treated to a touch of royalty when King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a surprise appearance on the talent program via live video link.

The special guests popped up on the show after judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie performed for the new king and a 20,000-strong crowd at his coronation concert on the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday evening, UK time.

So it’s only fair the new monarch returns the favour, right? No, King Charles and his queen did not belt out a tune in front of the judges, but they did make a brief - and more than a little awkward - appearance on-screen.

“What a party, what a party, it was unbelievable,” Richie said from a room in Windsor Castle. “We’re trying to figure out what can we do to bring something different to the show … So I have a surprise.”

Katy Perry and Lionel Richie prepare to announce their surprise guests via video link. Picture: American Idol/YouTube

The American Idol panel and viewers look on from back in the US. Picture: American Idol/YouTube

King Charles and Queen Camilla then appeared on screen, as Charles joked with the All Night Long singer.

“I just wanted to check, how much, how long will you be using this room for?” the king asked.

“We have to give the room up right away,” Richie replied as he looked at the camera.

King Charles than took on a more serious tone and praised the pair for taking the stage at the musical event.

“Thank you so much for your brilliant performance, it was great,” he said.

King Charles shares a joke with Lionel Richie in the throne room in Windsor Castle. Picture: American Idol/YouTube

The foursome spoke during the short skit. Picture: American Idol/YouTube

The playful interaction was filmed for American Idol viewers back in the US, with fellow judge Luke Bryan and fill-in judges Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran looking on.

In a radio interview ahead of the coronation, Sheeran – who is arguably the biggest artist in the UK right now – says he would have performed at the event but he was not asked.

“Lots of people are saying to me how it’s random [Katy Perry and Lionel Richie] are going to sing at the King’s Coronation … I want to clear something up actually,” Sheeran said on SiriusXM last Friday.

Katy Perry performs during the coronation concert on May 7 in Windsor, England. Picture: Kin Cheung/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Lionel Richie performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the coronation concert. Picture: Leon Neal/Pool/AFP

“No one ever asked me [to perform]. I assume if they went online and went ‘What’s Ed doing on May 6?’ they would go, ‘Oh, he’s playing in Dallas.’ So I think that’s what’s happened. I never ever turned it down. I wasn’t asked but yeah, I am excited to tune into that. Historic, isn’t it?”

The coronation concert topped off a three-day celebration to mark King Charles III’s official ascension to the thtone. Along with Perry and Richie, artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Olly Murs, Paloma Faith and Take That (minus Robbie Williams) performed at the star-studded event, and Paddington and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville hosted the gig.