Lionel Richie reveals what ‘no one knows’ about King Charles after attending coronation

Lionel Richie spent a fair amount of time with Charles over the past two weeks, and has divulged a detail that “no one knows about”.

King Charles and Lionel Richie. Picture: American Idol/Youtube

Lionel Richie has divulged on his encounters with King Charles over coronation weekend, and let slip on a detail “no one knows” about the King.

The US singer, 73, was invited to Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, and headlined the concert at Windsor Castle the following night.

Speaking for the first time since coronation weekend, Richie told Extra about his “highlight” conversation with Charles, 74, and gave an insight into his character people don’t often see.

“I’ve known the King quite a long time. He does have this amazing sense of humour that no one knows about. He’s a secret comedian,” Richie said.

Lionel Richie performed at Windsor Castle for the Coronation Concert. Picture: Leon Neal / POOL / AFP

Charles and Camilla enjoyed the concert from the royal box. Picture: Yui Mok / POOL / AFP

Richie also revealed how Charles’ post-coronation cameo on American Idol came about.

The King and Queen Camilla stunned viewers when they featured on the long-running US talent show shortly after the concert, appearing via video link alongside judges Richie and Katy Perry.

“The highlight for me was that I actually walked up to the King the day after the coronation and said, ‘Would you like to be on American Idol and he said, ‘Yeah’,” Richie recalled.

“And the second thing that was the highlight was he said, ‘All right if I bring the Queen?’

“For him to actually take the step and go out of the comfort zone — which was actually his comfort zone — he was hamming it up.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared on American Idol with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Picture: American Idol/YouTube

Viewers got an insight into the pair’s playful rapport during the Idol cameo, which saw Charles joke with the All Night Long singer on camera.

“I just wanted to check, how much, how long will you be using this room for?” Charles asked Richie, suggesting he wanted him kicked out of the castle’s Throne Room.

“We have to give the room up right away,” Richie replied.

Charles’ working relationship with Richie came after the latter was appointed the First Global Ambassador and First Chairman of the Global Ambassador Group for The Prince’s Trust in 2019.

Richie and Perry both performed at Charles’ concert, which was attended by working members of the British royal family and a 20,000 strong crowd.

Take That, sans Robbie Williams, also headlined the celebratory show.