Summary

  • Take That and Katy Perry bring the Coronation concert to a close with rousing performances that saw the King and other royals on their feet

  • The Prince of Wales pays tribute to his father during the show, saying “Pa, we’re all so proud of you”

  • Locations across the UK are illuminated with projections, lasers and drone displays as part of Lighting up the Nation during the event

  • The Met Police said it had made 64 arrests over the weekend in connection with the Coronation and four people have been charged

  • Earlier, Prince William and Catherine met crowds celebrating in Windsor as thousands joined Coronation street parties across the UK

  • King Charles and Queen Camilla thanked those who made the Coronation a "glorious occasion", adding they are "deeply touched"

  1. The final countdown to the Coronation concertpublished at 19:51 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Members of the public pose as they arrive to take their seats for the Coronation Concert held in the grounds of Windsor CastleImage source, PA Media

    The Coronation Concert is set to begin in 10 minutes.

    The show will be hosted by the actor Hugh Bonneville and feature performances from Take That, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and opera star Andrea Bocelli.

    A reminder, you can watch the programme live on BBC One from 20:00 BST, or as long as you're in the UK you can watch it on this page by scrolling to the top and clicking Play.

    If you're following our coverage abroad, don't worry. Stay with us on this page and we'll bring you all the live reaction as it happens.

  2. Stars pose for pictures backstagepublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Steven McIntosh
    Entertainment Reporter

    Many of the stars set to perform tonight have been posing for photos backstage ahead of the concert.

    Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse, singer Nicole Scherzinger, pianist Lang Lang and tonight's host Hugh Bonneville are just a few of the performers we've seen so far.

    Speaking backstage, Lang Lang said it was a "tremendous honour" to be on the bill, while Bonneville said he feels tonight's concert will be a "magical" way to continue the coronation festivities.

    Here are some of the stars backstage:

    Olly MursImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Singer Olly Murs

    JERUB, Pete Tong and VulaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Singers JERUB (left) and Vula (right) with DJ Pete Tong (centre)

    Ncuti Gatwa (left) and Mei MacImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Actors Ncuti Gatwa (left) and Mei Mac

  3. Freya Ridings out of concert due to illnesspublished at 19:33 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Steven McIntosh
    Entertainment Reporter

    Freya RidingsImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Freya Ridings pictured at the Brit Awards in 2020

    One performer who will no longer be taking part in tonight's concert is singer-songwriter Freya Ridings who pulled out due to illness, the BBC announced yesterday.

    The 29-year-old was supposed to perform a duet with classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, but the BBC said she will be replaced by fellow singer-songwriter Zak Abel.

    Speaking of his last-minute addition to the lineup, Abel said: "I am honoured and overwhelmed to be included in the Coronation celebrations.

    "To have the opportunity to be part of such a historic moment is something I will forever be humbled by and will never forget.”

    Zak AbelImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Zak Abel has replaced Freya Ridings on the line-up

  4. Paddington star Hugh Bonneville gears up for 'magical' concertpublished at 19:22 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Hugh Bonneville backstage at the Coronation ConcertImage source, Reuters

    Actor Hugh Bonneville will be hosting tonight's star-studded Coronation Concert and says he expects it to be a "magical" event.

    Bonneville, who is best known for his roles in Downton Abbey and the Paddington films, said he had tuned in to the Coronation service on Saturday, describing it as "moving and extraordinary".

    Speaking to the PA news agency, he said that for his generation and his parents' generation, the Royal Family had been "the glue that bound our nations together", and it was now for future generations to define what the monarchy means to them.

    Bonneville’s involvement in the concert is being considered by some as a subtle nod to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who appeared in a sketch with Paddington Bear for her Platinum Jubilee.

  5. Not the first ticket problemspublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Steven McIntosh
    Entertainment Reporter

    As we've been reporting, many people arriving for tonight's concert in Windsor are having trouble downloading their tickets as they queue for the event.

    But this isn't the first issue there has been.

    There was controversy last month after some members of the public mistakenly believed they’d won tickets after receiving a confusingly-worded email from the company.

    Ticketmaster emailed some applicants to say they had been “successful in the ballot for a pair of standing tickets”.

    However, in order to claim the tickets, fans had to click on the link included in the email to redeem them. By the time many fans saw the email and clicked through, they were disappointed to discover they had all gone.

    Ticketmaster said the issue related to unclaimed tickets, which had been released on a "first-come, first-served basis to those who had previously applied to the ballot and were unsuccessful". It noted that tickets secured in the two main ballot rounds were guaranteed.

  6. Duke and Duchess meet Ukrainian refugeespublished at 18:47 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Hannah Bayman
    BBC News

    Prince Edward

    Stepping away from the concert for a moment, earlier the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were greeted by thousands of members of the public in the village of Cranleigh in Surrey on a visit to support the Coronation Big Lunch.

    Sophie and Edward dropped in on a party on the village green - one of thousands happening across the UK this weekend.

    As part of their walkabout the Duke and Duchess met Ukrainian refugees who now live in Cranleigh. One woman told the Duke: “It’s an honour to meet you, thank you for coming,” while another called out “Thank you Britain!”

  7. Ticket problems at Windsor Castlepublished at 18:30 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Imogen James
    Reporting from Windsor

    Members of the public queue as they arrive for the Coronation ConcertImage source, PA Media
    Image caption,

    Members of the public queue as they arrive for the Coronation Concert

    As the queues here at Windsor Castle continue to build ahead of tonight's Coronation concert, people are having issues with their tickets.

    A lack of signal means people are struggling to load their tickets, so they are joining extra queues for the box office to get help.

    Screenshots are fine, though. So if you’re heading along be sure to download your ticket or have it available somewhere.

  8. In Pictures: People gather for a Big Lunch around the UKpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Thousands of people from all corners of the UK have been enjoying street parties and Big Lunches today as part of the Coronation celebrations.

    Ralph Pointon adjusts his scarecrows of King and Queen for the Big Lunch on the prom, in MorecambeImage source, REUTERS/Molly Darlington
    Image caption,

    King and Queen scarecrows were on the promenade in Morecombe

    Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and his wife Caroline attending the Big Lunch in the grounds Canterbury Cathedral, Kent.Image source, Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
    Image caption,

    Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and his wife Caroline attending the Big Lunch in the grounds Canterbury Cathedral, Kent.

    People are seen attending a 'Coronation Big Lunch' in Ballater, AberdeenshireImage source, Peter Summers/Getty Images
    Image caption,

    People are seen attending a 'Coronation Big Lunch' in Ballater, Aberdeenshire

    People take part with royal masks in a Big Lunch in Doagh, Northern IrelandImage source, REUTERS/Damien Storan
    Image caption,

    People take part with royal masks in a Big Lunch at Kilbride parish church in Doagh, Northern Ireland

  9. The sun is out in Windsorpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Imogen James
    Reporting from Windsor

    Louise and Sara in Windsor

    Louise and Sara are joining the queue now.

    They said they’re looking forward to the concert after spending the coronation sat inside avoiding the rain.

    Luckily for them the suns out and they’re ready to party! Louise is looking forward to Paloma Faith but for Sara it’s Andrea Bocelli.

  10. Crowds build ahead of star-studded concertpublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Alex Therrien
    Live reporter

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Coronation weekend.

    So far today we've seen street parties and Big Lunches across the UK - including one in Downing Street - and Prince William and Catherine meeting and greeting crowds in Windsor.

    Now we turn to one of the main events of the weekend - a star-studded Coronation concert at Windsor Castle headlined by Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

    Our colleagues Marita Moloney and Jasmine Taylor-Coleman have finished for the day, and Jamie Whitehead and I will now be with you for the rest of the evening.

    Stay with us for the build-up to the concert and other Coronation updates.

  11. For those about to rock, we salute youpublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Prince George at the Coronation CeremonyImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Prince George was a Page of Honour at this weekend's Coronation ceremony

    As the Coronation Concert nears, Prince William has given royal fans an insight into his eldest son's musical tastes.

    During a surprise meet and greet in Windsor, William apparently said Prince George is a big fan of rock bands AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.

    He made the comments to Caroline Mulvihill from the Rock Choir in Windsor and Maidenhead.

    "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 PA news agency.

    William and Kate delighted crowds gathered at Windsor when they stopped by earlier today to chat with people and pose for photographs.

  12. How to tune in to Coronation Concertpublished at 17:03 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    The Coronation Concert - produced by BBC Studios - will be broadcast live for audiences in the UK.

    You can tune in on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. And you’ll be able to live-stream it on this very page.

    If you're joining us outside the UK, you won't be able to see the video stream but we'll be bringing you live updates right here so stay with us as we guide you through the concert.

  13. Queues build for star-studded concertpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Imogen James
    Reporting from Windsor

    Queues in Windsor

    The concert queue is growing here in Windsor.

    Crowds have packed out the silver barriers and are now queuing along the Long Walk in anticipation of the Coronation concert.

    The queue stretches all the way down from the castle, but it seems the people just keep flooding in.

    Take that, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are among the stars performing tonight for a crowd of around 20,000 people.

  14. A party in Sandringham...Australiapublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Paula GoodImage source, PAULA GOOD
    Image caption,

    Paula Good

    Millions of people tuned in to watch yesterday's historic Coronation and Paula Good was one of them, joining in all the way from Australia.

    “We had a fun Coronation party here in Sandringham, Victoria," she says.

    "We sang God Save The King! Enjoyed the whole Coronation from 5pm ‘til midnight!”

    Sounds like it was quite the popular event: 40 of Paula's friends joined her for the festivities.

    Paula Good and friendsImage source, PAULA GOOD
    Image caption,

    Paula and her friends also dressed up for the occasion

  15. Coronation - and cakes - bring community togetherpublished at 16:30 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Lorna Gordon
    Scotland correspondent

    Big Lunch in Orkney

    A special Coronation event is being held on Westray in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland to bring the small community of less than 600 people together.

    Locals pitched in to make sandwiches and bake cakes for the Big Lunch in the island’s school hall.

    Davy, 13, says: “The food’s really good and there’s a lot of people here from the island. The Coronation was good too.”

    Three boys, two wearing masks
    Image caption,

    Davy is on the left - wearing the Queen's mask

  16. An unlikely bonding moment with Princess Katepublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Imogen James
    Reporting from Windsor

    Sophie Warren

    Sophie Warren travelled to Windsor from Reading to soak up the atmosphere, but left with a lot more than she bargained for.

    After seeing people gathering, she joined the crowds and was delighted to see Kate and William.

    Sophie works on Pippa Middleton’s husband's farm. She told Kate this and they chatted about the farm and the weather yesterday, which Kate described as being unfortunate.

    Kate even told Sophie she would see her on the farm some time!

  17. In Pictures: Dogs join the Coronation celebrationspublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    It's not just people who have been dressing up in elaborate costumes for today's Coronation festivities - we've seen some very patriotic pooches posing up a storm too.

    People have dressed their dogs in the union flag for some best dressed competitions, and just for fun.

    Tino wins the best dressed dog at the Big LunchImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Tino wins the best dressed dog at the Big Lunch in London's Regent's Park

    A dog joins the street party in London's Regents ParkImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    The pooches were out in force in the park today

    A woman feeds a dog at the Big Lunch in Regent's ParkImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    And there were some tasty snacks on offer as well

    A pup with a knitted crown at celebrations in Gloucester Street, LondonImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    This pup donned a knitted crown at the celebrations in Gloucester Street, London

    A dog wears a Union Jack themed collar decorationImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    While one dog in the same area wore a union jack themed collar decoration at a street party

  18. London mayor seeks clarity over Coronation arrestspublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    The Met Police seize placards from protestorsImage source, PA Media

    Moving briefly away from this afternoon's festivities, we've had some reaction from the Mayor of London following the 52 arrests in the capital yesterday.

    Sadiq Khan says he is demanding "clarity" from the Met Police's leaders on the arrests which have been deemed controversial by some anti-monarchist protesters who were detained.

    He tweeted: "Some of the arrests made by police as part of the Coronation event raise questions and whilst investigations are ongoing, I've sought urgent clarity from Met leaders on the action taken."

    The Metropolitan Police has insisted it acted in a "proportionate manner" yesterday.

    Earlier, the anti-monarchy group Republic said that its members who were arrested began to be released late on Saturday evening after nearly 16 hours in custody.

    Leader of the group, Graham Smith, criticised the arrests after being released and said "the right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists".

  19. A Royally Big Portrait of the Kingpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    Portrait of King Charles, part of a Children In Need digital art projectImage source, BBC Children In Need

    More than 20,000 children and young people have created an interactive digital portrait of the King to celebrate the Coronation.

    Participants have been creating their own unique pictures of the monarch, which are then assembled all together into one final piece.

    The Royally Big Portrait, created by BBC Children In Need, is a Guinness World Record breaker for the most online contributions to an online artwork

    Members of the public are invited to contribute their portraits until Monday, when the finished artwork will be displayed in the National Portrait Gallery and a special print edition of the final portrait will be available to buy via the BBC Children in Need website, external.

    Coronation digital art project created by BBC Children In NeedImage source, BBC Children In Need
  20. A royal success on the second attemptpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 7 May 2023

    James FitzGerald
    Live reporter

    A finished Coronation Quiche
    Image caption,

    If at first you don’t succeed…

    My first go with making the Coronation quiche didn't go to plan. There is a nauseating splat as the undercooked bake, liberated from its tin, lands face-down on the worktop.

    But on the second attempt, the quiche bounces out of the oven bubbling and lightly golden as hoped.

    This time, I made sure to whack the heat up (not an official instruction, external), to avert any more sloppy mishaps.

    I'm not sure the finished product would earn a Paul Hollywood handshake. But for my money, it pairs well with some fresh salad and potatoes.

    The tarragon is the standout performer - providing an intriguing cut-through among the velvety egg mixture, and the mealy texture of the broad beans.

    Serves four to six. Or - in the case of ravenous live page journalists - one.