Deirdre O Meara 
The British monarch, King Charles, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were all smiles as they attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace. The event was held to celebrate the forthcoming coronation, and hundreds of guests were present to share in the festivities. Despite the recent security breach at the palace, the royal couple appeared to be in high spirits as they chatted and joked with well-wishers. Among the guests was Lionel Richie, the legendary singer who is set to perform at a special concert to mark the coronation.
Richie, who will join Katy Perry and Take That’s Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen in the live performance for 10,000 people on Sunday, expressed his excitement about the upcoming event. He said, “This is a once in a lifetime so to be a part of it is everything. I’ve known His Majesty now for a couple of years. So, I mean, how many in your career, there are Oscars and then there are Grammys and then there’s a Coronation… are you kidding me?! I mean, this doesn’t happen every day so am I excited about this? Absolutely! Come on. Let’s just get serious. Do we have any example of this? No. It’s not like any other time in life or [any other] occasion. So, this is going to be the best thing ever!”
The coronation concert, which will be held at Windsor Castle, will be screened live by the BBC and will also feature soul pianist Alexis Ffrench and singer Freya Ridings. The King and Queen consort will be joined by Prince William and Kate Middleton for the celebration, which will include a spectacular drone display.
The atmosphere at the palace was a stark contrast to the previous night when a man was arrested outside the palace gates. The man, identified as David Huber, allegedly threw suspected shotgun cartridges onto the palace grounds and threatened to kill the King before being apprehended by police. Although no members of the royal family were present at the time, the incident has raised concerns about security at the palace.
Despite the security breach, the royal family is continuing with their plans for the coronation. Charles was seen earlier in the day attending a coronation rehearsal, and he appeared to be in high spirits as he waved at fans from his car. However, the police are taking no chances and have deployed thousands of officers, protection squads, air support, and roof-top snipers to ensure the safety of the event. Drones will also be used to monitor the crowds.
The security operation is estimated to cost around £150million, and it is hoped that it will be enough to prevent any further incidents. The coronation is a historic event, and the royal family is determined to ensure that it goes ahead without any problems. With Lionel Richie and other musical talents set to perform, it promises to be a memorable occasion for all those involved.
In conclusion, the Buckingham Palace garden party was a joyous occasion, with King Charles and Camilla enjoying the company of their guests. Despite the recent security breach, the royal family is determined to go ahead with the coronation, and they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the event. With Lionel Richie and other talented performers set to take the stage, it promises to be a truly unforgettable celebration.
