What Katy Perry Did at King Charles’ Coronation Likely Won’t Earn Her Another Royal Invite

(L) King Charles wearing the Imperial State Crown at his Coronation; (R) Katy Perry departs Westminster Abbey after the Coronation of King Charles. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Ben Stansall - WPA Pool; (R) Karwai Tang/WireImage

Nov. 21 2025, Published 08:53 AM. ET

King Charles' 2023 coronation concert was a 'star-studded' event. Among the slew of A-list performers, Katy Perry delivered some of her most iconic hits as the crowd sang along. But while her performance went off without a hitch, royal author Robert Jobson claimed all was not well behind the scenes. According to him, Perry was frustrated that Lionel Richie received special treatment and demanded the same.

Katy Perry performs on stage during King Charles's Coronation Concert in Windsor, England. (Image Source: Getty Images| Chris Jackson)

In his book, The Windsor Legacy, to be released next year, Jobson recounted the ceremony that took place a day after Charles's coronation. In an exclusive excerpt obtained by Us Weekly, he penned, "Lionel Richie, a Prince's Trust ally, was invited to stay at Windsor Castle after the show, prompting Katy Perry and her team to demand the same treatment." Richie, who has long been affiliated with the Trust, allegedly received the special invitation due to his personal relationship with the monarch. He added, "The palace bigwigs eventually relented, but Perry's entourage caused a stir by partying late into the night, straying into restricted areas," not reserved for guests.

King Charles III stands after being crowned during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, on May 6, 2023, in London, England. (Image Source: Getty Images | Richard Pohle - WPA Pool) — King Charles during his coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey in London, England. (Image Source: Getty Images | Richard Pohle - WPA Pool)

In the past, Perry did admit that she and her mother stayed in Windsor Castle during the coronation. During a February 2024 Jimmy Kimmel Live! interview, she shared how she and her glam team had a literal run-in with Charles and Queen Camilla while trying to meet up with them for an American Idol segment. She revealed, "Everyone was running," explaining that the group was not supposed to enter there, but rather take a prearranged route through the Castle. "I ran straight into them, and I was like, 'Oh, I went the wrong way!'"

In another interview, the singer shared that she was honored to perform and attend the coronation. Explaining her special connection to the monarch, she told Entertainment Tonight in 2023, "I met His Majesty-to-be a few years ago, and he named me as one of the ambassadors to his organization, The British Asian Trust, which is an organization that helps fight to end child trafficking." She stressed that since she was an ambassador for UNICEF, it really aligned with her values, and so she happily agreed to attend the event. "I'm going to be an ambassador and to say, 'Hey, this is me from the USA.' No, but it’s so cool."

Katy Perry leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles. — Katy Perry leaves Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles and Queen Camilla. (Image Source: Getty Images | Jane Barlow - WPA Pool)

Charles's coronation concert, held outside Windsor Castle on May 7, saw 20,000 guests. Along with Perry and Richie, other performers included opera legends Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel. There were also modern and classical blends with Freya Ridings, Alexis Ffrench, Paloma Faith, Tiwa Savage, Olly Murs, Lang Lang (with Nicole Scherzinger), and DJ Pete Tong. Beyond the music, the concert featured a diverse coronation choir made up of community groups across the UK, plus a virtual choir from the Commonwealth, all backed by a 74-piece orchestra.