Eurovision diehards King Charles and Camilla to unveil Eurovision 2023 stage in Liverpool

The British monarchs are headed to Liverpool where the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest rehearsals will get underway. See why.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are big Eurovision fans.

The royal couple will head to Liverpool this week to reveal the stage for the 2023 contest which kicks off a week of rehearsals amid the build-up to the Coronation festivities.

Charles III will flick the switch to light the stage at the M & S Bank Arena for the first time on Thursday (AEST) and meet with hosts including award-winning Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham and UK contestant Mae Muller.

The King’s love of the show was revealed in 2021, when he chose The Voice by Irish singer Eimear Quinn, which won Eurovision in 1996, as one of his favourite songs for a hospital radio show.

King Charles III greets Lord of the Lost in Hamburg. Picture: Getty Images

He also met Germany’s entrant, metal band Lord of The Lost in Hamburg on their royal tour last month.

While the 2022 Eurovision contest was won by Ukraine entry Kalush Orchestra, the host nation was deemed not safe to hold this year’s event as Russia continues its invasion of the eastern European country.

It was then awarded to the UK because last year’s singer Sam Ryder came second, with Liverpool winning the battle of cities to stage the event.

Eurovision song contest stage render. Picture: BBC

Organisers have said the staging has been designed to represent a “wide hug” to Ukraine.

“The architecture takes inspiration from a wide hug, opening its arms to Ukraine, the show’s performers and guests from across the world. I focused on the cultural aspects and similarities between Ukraine, the UK and specifically Liverpool. From music, dance and art to architecture and poetry,” designer Julio Himede said.

Ryder, who won fans worldwide with his performance of his song Space Man, was tapped to perform at Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Party at the Palace concert last year.

UK singer Sam Ryder discovered the royal family are big Eurovision fans. Picture: AFP

He discovered the royal family were big Eurovision fans at reception after the gig.

“She is so kind and said that the royal family had all been supporting me for a while and all throughout Eurovision,” he said of his meeting with the Princess of Wales.

Princess Beatrice also shared her love of the annual celebration of music with Ryder.

“She was just saying that they all appreciated the way that the team had handled the Eurovision journey, and that meant so much to all of us. What I gather is a lot of the members of the royal family had seen Eurovision and were supporting my song from home, which means a lot,” Ryder said.

Australia is represented by synth metal band Voyager this year with SBS screening the semi-finals and grand final from May 10 to May 14.

Rita Ora has also been confirmed as one of the special guest performers during the semi-finals.

Originally published as Eurovision diehards King Charles and Camilla to unveil Eurovision 2023 stage in Liverpool