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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Cathy Owen

Prince and Princess of Wales share slick clip showing behind the scenes at coronation

The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a clip showing them behind the scenes at the Coronation Concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle. During the event, Prince William paid tribute to the King's coronation "pledge of service" as the newly crowned monarch was celebrated by a host of stars.

The video shows the second-in-line to the throne with his wife and two oldest children, George, nine, and Charlotte, eight, walking up the steps towards the royal box where they had the perfect view of the concert that included performances from Katie Perry, Sir Bryn Terfel and Take That.

During a night of music staged in the grounds of Windsor Castle, actors, singers and entertainers spoke up and Kermit the Frog managed to gatecrash the royal box. Among them was Top Gun star Tom Cruise who paid the ultimate tribute to Charles, telling him: "You can be my wingman any time". In the video, shared on the couple's official social media accounts, Prince George walked beside his father, while Kate held hands with her only daughter who was seen giggling.

(Getty Images)

The slick montage is filled with clips of people dancing and cheering in large crowds, as well as a sea of waving union flags. During the concert, William took to the stage to speak about the pride he felt for his father and fondly remember his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. When he took to the stage he delighted his daughter Princess Charlotte, who could be seen pointing out her father to brother Prince George.

Take That, billed as pop "royalty", and Lionel Richie brought the house down and got the royal family on their feet and dancing - including Charles and Queen Camilla - during the 95-minute extravaganza. The future King made a poignant reference to his late grandmother saying: "I know she's up there, fondly keeping an eye on us." He told Charles: "She would be a very proud mother."

William on stage at the concert (Getty Images)
Laughing with Prince George (Getty Images)

The prince described how his father's first words on entering Westminster Abbey for his coronation - when he responded to the official greeting by a young chorister - were a pledge of service.

"It was a pledge to continue to serve," William said. "Because for over 50 years, in every corner of the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world, he has dedicated himself to serve others, both current and future generations, and those whose memory must not be neglected."

He praised the King's campaigning to protect the natural world and heralded his establishment of the Prince's Trust, before adding: "Perhaps most importantly of all, my father has always understood that people of all faiths, all backgrounds, and all communities, deserve to be celebrated and supported."

The concert hosted by Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville saw the King's life celebrated, from his service in the Armed Forces to his passion for the arts and his charitable work.

A host of celebrities recorded messages for Charles or highlighted little known facts, and Hollywood star Cruise delivered his pre-recorded tribute while at the controls of his Top Gun Warbird plane.

Highlighting the fact that Charles was qualified as a helicopter pilot, he said: "Pilot to pilot, Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time", before saluting and banking off. During the show, colourful images to accompany the acts were projected onto Windsor Castle and the royal residence increasingly became a stunning backdrop to the show as night fell.

Footage from Charles' life was shown during the tributes from celebrities who included actors Hugh Jack and Pierce Brosnan, former Strictly Come Dancing dancer Oti Mabuse and adventurer Bear Grylls. Katy Perry was a hit with the crowds and Charlotte was spotted singing along to her song Roar that had mum Kate swaying.

The American singer dedicated her song Firework to the King "and the work that we get to do together with the British Asian Trust and their Children's Protection Fund". Take That's finale got the royal family on their feet with their hit Shine, with Charlotte and George madly waving union flags. In the final performance, the band, who have not performed together for four years, ended with Never Forget - as Kermit the Frog danced along.

Read next:

  • The best pictures as streets across Wales shut and communities come together for coronation parties
  • King Charles' coronation in pictures as Harry returns to the UK
  • Welsh council leader finds himself next to pop superstar Katy Perry at King Charles' coronation
  • Kirsty Young's emotional speech as she concludes coverage of King's coronation
  • Homage of the People toned down in late change to King's Coronation service
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