A CROWN JEWEL - 'CHARLES WILL BE A GREAT KING'

CELEBRITIES CLOSE TO THE MONARCH REVEAL A DEDICATED BUT FUN-LOVING MAN BEHIND THE POMP AND CEREMONY

- REBECCA RUSSELL

DAME JOANNA LUMLEY

On BBC Breakfast in 2020, the Absolutely Fabulous star, 77, who is part of Sky TV's coronation coverage team, praised the King's involvement in the arts.

"He has always supported actors and the performing arts and music and culture," she revealed.

"He has always been a great patron. And for him, off his own back, to suddenly think of how he could best help the acting profession and all the backstage and everything that goes on, which has just hit a brick wall and been practically vanquished in this terrible year."

CAROL VORDERMAN MBE

The presenter, 62, became friends with the King through his Prince's Trust charity.

"I wish King Charles every element of peace, joy and strength during his reign," she said. "I believe he will become a great King. He has championed environmental issues and young people.

"One thing I know beyond any doubt is that King Charles believes that no matter your background, no matter your story so far, there is goodness and a hope within us all." 

LIONEL RICHIE

The All Night Long singer, 73, will be performing at the Coronation Concert.

"I know him as a wonderful person," he said of King Charles. "I never thought performing at the coronation would come up. It's A, a surprise, B, an honour, and C, the fact of all the names out there, he called my name. This is the grandiose of grandiose right here."

JENNIE BOND

From 1989 to 2003, the journalist, now 72, was the BBC's royal correspondent.