Huge blow for King Charles’s coronation concert as two global superstar singers turn down requests to perform
A HUGE blow has been dealt to King Charles’ coronation concert as a pair of global superstars have turned down invitations to perform.
The pair of music icons were reportedly asked to play at the event on May 7, but were locked in to other commitments that prevented them from attending.
A new report from The Mail on Sunday revealed that pop sensations Adele and Ed Sheeran will not be at the Windsor Castle concert, which is scheduled for the day after the new King is crowned at Westminster Abbey.
A source told the outlet: “The King has suggested a number of people he would like to perform and Adele and Ed were on that list. He was very keen that they were part of the concert.
“There is a team set up to get the talent signed up so they approached the two of them, but got replies saying that they were unavailable, which was a massive disappointment.
“They are titans of the showbiz industry and are quintessentially British but also known across the globe. It’s such a shame.”
Sheeran, 32, is scheduled for a gig in Texas the day before the concert.
While insiders have said that it would be possible to make the 9-hour journey back to blighty in time using a private jet, it would certainly be difficult for him.
The Yorkshire-born singer closed the late-Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant with his hit ‘Perfect’ as a tribute to Her Majesty and her recently deceased husband Prince Philip.
Adele, 34, meanwhile, has no publicly announced commitments for the day.
Her last scheduled gig is on March 25, the last date of her residency in Las Vegas.
Other celeb singers rumoured to be appearing include Harry Styles, Lionel Richie and even Victoria Beckham.
The King is understood to be particularly keen that former One Direction frontman Styles is involved.
The concert itself will be screened live on the BBC, while thousands of tickets are expected to be up for grabs in pairs via a public ballot.
Charles officially became King on September 8 last year with the death of his beloved mother Queen Elizabeth II.
However, the formal coronation is set for May as a period of mourning is traditional before crowning a new sovereign.
It comes amid reports that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “undecided” on whether or not to attend the ceremony, over fears of a “toxic atmosphere”.
The couple’s rift with the rest of the Royal Family has widened in the wake of the release of their controversial Netflix documentary, as well as Prince Harry’s explosive memoir and interview series with US and UK media.
The BBC declined to comment.