Ant and Dec, Katy Perry and Emma Thompson among celebrities to arrive

Celebrities including Ant and Dec, Katy Perry, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson have all arrived to celebrate the King’s coronation.

More than 2,000 people have been invited to Westminster Abbey, including around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe and everyday heroes.

Arriving bright and early, actor and comedian Stephen Fry was one of the first famous faces to arrive at the abbey.

I Kissed A Girl singer Katy Perry, who will perform at the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, was one of the early US stars to arrive, wearing head-to-toe lilac.

Presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were full of smiles as they mingled in the abbey. They are currently hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, but have been invited in their capacity as goodwill ambassadors for the Princes Trust.

The Geordie duo have hosted the charity’s awards 10 times and are involved in a programme to make the media industry more accessible.

Actress Dame Emma Thompson, who is good friends with the King, arrived with her husband, actor Greg Wise, chatting to other guests as they took their seats.

The Oscar-winning star wore a bold red jacket, along with her damehood medal and insignia.

Ultimate guide to the coronation: How to watch, timings and procession route

Dame Judi Dench wore a pale lavender ensemble and brimmed hat, Downton Abbey star Dame Maggie Smith wore blue, while Australian singer Nick Cave wore a dark suit and tie.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, best known for hit musicals including The Phantom Of The Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, was also there.

The award-winning composer, who has written the coronation anthem, said writing the music acted as an “antidote” to his loss of his eldest son, Nicholas, in March.

Singer Lionel Richie, who will also perform at Sunday’s coronation concert, told Sky News: “This is not an everyday occurrence. I’m walking into history. This is the greatest show on earth right now. To have an invite to this is everything.”

Richie, 73, wore a top hat to mark the special occasion.

Dame Joanna Lumley, who will be commentating on the historic event for Sky News, said: “I’m so excited… saying God Save the King will be the most exciting bit. Hearing the choir, all the new songs, the old songs, will be ravishing. I’m also looking forward to seeing the Queen’s dress – it’s supposed to be spectacular!”

Other famous guests at the abbey include British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, former Play School presenter Floella Benjamin, Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones, and director general of the BBC, Tim Davey.

Spice Girl Melanie Brown was also spotted outside the abbey, chatting to press.

David and Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney, Rowan Atkinson, Bear Grylls and magician Dynamo are also expected to attend.

The King will be crowned at Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury during a coronation ceremony dating back centuries.

The King’s youngest son, Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in March 2020 and moved to the US with his wife, Meghan, is also expected to attend.

The event is the military’s largest ceremonial operation since Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation, with 9,000 servicemen and women deployed and 7,000 of these performing ceremonial and supporting roles.

It’s a significantly slimmed-down event compared with the more than 8,000 guests at the Queen’s coronation 70 years ago.

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