Katy Perry performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023. Chris Jackson / AFP
Katy Perry performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023. Chris Jackson / AFP
Katy Perry performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023. Chris Jackson / AFP
Katy Perry performs inside Windsor Castle grounds at the Coronation Concert on May 7, 2023. Chris Jackson / AFP

World

UK

Coronation concert: Global superstars perform at Windsor spectacular

Ten cities across the country also enjoyed drone light displays

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

May 07, 2023

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Follow the latest news from the coronation of King Charles here

A host of performers from around the world came together at Windsor Castle on Sunday night for a star-studded concert to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

The Coronation Concert was beamed on to large screens across the country and saw the Prince of Wales make a speech honouring his father the king, before performances by Katy Perry, Take That, Lionel Richie and Nicole Scherzinger.

Stars including Hugh Jackman, Pierce Brosnan, Dame Joan Collins, Bear Grylls, Alan Titchmarsh and Sir Tom Jones sent recorded video messages in honour of the king throughout the concert, which was hosted by Hugh Bonneville.

Top Gun star Tom Cruise delivered a video message from his War Bird plane, saying: “Pilot to pilot. Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time,” before saluting and banking off.

Muppets stars Kermit and Miss Piggy also gave speeches, with the frog saying he was “honoured” to have been invited to the coronation.

At the same time, 10 towns and cities across the country were treated to “spectacular” light displays, while 1,000 drones took to the sky for a UK-first “multi-location drone show”.

The light display included the Welsh dragon spanning 140 metres, beamed into the sky above Cardiff to the soundtrack of Paloma Faith singing Lullaby, while James Nesbitt performed a spoken word piece written by Daljit Nagra, chairman of the Royal Society of Literature.

Coronation Concert - in pictures

Perry performs 'Firework' before 20,000 people, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Getty
Perry performs 'Firework' before 20,000 people, including King Charles and Queen Camilla. Getty
Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7. AP
Katy Perry performs on stage during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7. AP
The packed audience inside the Windsor Castle grounds, west of London. AFP
The packed audience inside the Windsor Castle grounds, west of London. AFP
The brightly lit stage at Windsor Castle. Getty
The brightly lit stage at Windsor Castle. Getty
Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, performs at the Coronation Concert. PA
Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, performs at the Coronation Concert. PA
Scherzinger performs for King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royals. AP
Scherzinger performs for King Charles, Queen Camilla and other royals. AP
Queen Camilla and King Charles join in the fun with other members of the royal family and guests in the Royal Box. PA
Queen Camilla and King Charles join in the fun with other members of the royal family and guests in the Royal Box. PA
Lucy Illingworth on stage. Reuters
Lucy Illingworth on stage. Reuters
Steve Winwood leads a version of Higher Love. Reuters
Steve Winwood leads a version of Higher Love. Reuters
English DJ Pete Tong performs at the Coronation Concert. Reuters
English DJ Pete Tong performs at the Coronation Concert. Reuters
Gary Barlow of Take That joins his bandmates on stage. Reuters
Gary Barlow of Take That joins his bandmates on stage. Reuters
Take That, from left, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow. Getty
Take That, from left, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Gary Barlow. Getty
British singer-songwriter Paloma Faith takes her turn on the Windsor Castle stage. AFP
British singer-songwriter Paloma Faith takes her turn on the Windsor Castle stage. AFP
Out with the mobiles ... audience members at the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP
Out with the mobiles ... audience members at the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP
Present in the Royal Box were Queen Camilla and King Charles, Katharine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Princess Eugenie, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty. Getty
Present in the Royal Box were Queen Camilla and King Charles, Katharine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Princess Eugenie, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty. Getty
Members of the 20,000-strong Coronation Concert crowd. Reuters
Members of the 20,000-strong Coronation Concert crowd. Reuters
Lionel Richie performs with his band. Reuters
Lionel Richie performs with his band. Reuters
Richie in full flight. AFP
Richie in full flight. AFP
Sir Bryn Terfel, left, and Andrea Bocelli bring their version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to the Coronation Concert. Getty
Sir Bryn Terfel, left, and Andrea Bocelli bring their version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to the Coronation Concert. Getty
Mei Mac and Ncuti Gatwa take to the stage. Getty
Mei Mac and Ncuti Gatwa take to the stage. Getty
British singer Zak Abel performs. AP
British singer Zak Abel performs. AP
A string quartet entertains the crowd. AFP
A string quartet entertains the crowd. AFP
Dancers from the Royal Ballet. AFP
Dancers from the Royal Ballet. AFP
Prince William gives a touching address about his father, King Charles. Getty
Prince William gives a touching address about his father, King Charles. Getty
Prince George and his father Prince William enjoy the show, alongside Mr Sunak and Ms Murty. AFP
Prince George and his father Prince William enjoy the show, alongside Mr Sunak and Ms Murty. AFP
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage on stage during the Coronation Concert. Getty
Nigerian singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage on stage during the Coronation Concert. Getty
Savage onstage inside the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP
Savage onstage inside the Windsor Castle grounds. AFP
Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her daughter Princess Charlotte enjoy the show. AFP
Kate, the Princess of Wales, and her daughter Princess Charlotte enjoy the show. AFP
Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor on stage. Getty
Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor on stage. Getty
King Charles waves as he arrives at his Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AFP
King Charles waves as he arrives at his Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AFP
British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP
British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP
British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP
British singer-songwriter Olly Murs performs. AFP
Choirmaster Gareth Malone leads the way. AP
Choirmaster Gareth Malone leads the way. AP
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, with Lady Louise Windsor, centre. AFP
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, with Lady Louise Windsor, centre. AFP
Zara and Mike Tindall danced for much of the night. AFP
Zara and Mike Tindall danced for much of the night. AFP

Hit makers including Katy Perry, who sang Roar and Firework, and Lionel Richie, who played renditions of Easy and All Night Long, entertained the 20,000-strong audience backed by a world-class 70-piece orchestra.

Take That then took to the stage with Greatest Day, Shine and, to close the show, Never Forget, featuring an intro from the Choristers of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

The 300-strong Coronation Choir, conducted by Gareth Malone, performed an uplifting version of the Emeli Sande song Brighter Days, while Steve Winwood sang his hit song Higher Love, accompanied by the Commonwealth virtual choir with singers from more than 40 countries.

Light display to celebrate coronation of King Charles III - in pictures

The Palace of Westminster is lit up in red, white and blue during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Getty
The Palace of Westminster is lit up in red, white and blue during the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Getty
Another view of the Palace of Westminster, and Lambeth Bridge, lit up for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 07. Getty
Another view of the Palace of Westminster, and Lambeth Bridge, lit up for the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla on May 07. Getty
Lambeth Bridge is lit red for the occasion. Getty
Lambeth Bridge is lit red for the occasion. Getty
A drone light show during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AP
A drone light show during the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. AP
The drone light show. AP
The drone light show. AP
Another shot of the drone show at Windsor Castle. AP
Another shot of the drone show at Windsor Castle. AP
The stunning light show produced by a swarm of drones at the Coronation Concert. AP
The stunning light show produced by a swarm of drones at the Coronation Concert. AP
The drone light show continues. Getty
The drone light show continues. Getty
A message spelt out by the swarm of drones at Windsor Castle. AP
A message spelt out by the swarm of drones at Windsor Castle. AP
Tyne Bridge in Newcastle joins 'Lighting up the Nation' after the coronation. Reuters
Tyne Bridge in Newcastle joins 'Lighting up the Nation' after the coronation. Reuters
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle. Reuters
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle. Reuters
The Blackpool Tower is another of the national landmarks lit up for King Charles's coronation. Reuters
The Blackpool Tower is another of the national landmarks lit up for King Charles's coronation. Reuters
The Blackpool Tower. Reuters
The Blackpool Tower. Reuters

The evening also saw a collaboration between five Royal patronages — the Royal Ballet, The Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art — who came together for the first time to perform Somewhere from West Side Story.

Other collaborations included Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel, who sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Lang Lang and Nicole Scherzinger, who performed Reflection from Mulan.

On Women's Day
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:

Manchester City 3

Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'

Bournemouth 1

Wilson 44'

Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989

Director: Goran Hugo Olsson

Rating: 5/5

ACL Elite (West) - fixtures

Monday, Sept 30

Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)

Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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While you're here
EXPATS
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War 2

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Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

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On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The alternatives

• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.

• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.

• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.

• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.

• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases -  but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

Checks continue

A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.

Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.

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Scoreline

Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)

New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)

Company%20profile
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The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

On Women's Day
Two products to make at home

Toilet cleaner

1 cup baking soda 

1 cup castile soap

10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice) 

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.

2. Add the essential oil to the mix.

Air Freshener

100ml water 

5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this) 

Method:

1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.

2. Shake well before use. 

Updated: May 08, 2023, 7:34 AM`
King Charles IIIThe UK royal family