Why are top artists declining King Charles III’s invitation to perform?

King Charles III has extended an invitation to some of Britain’s most talented musicians to play at his upcoming coronation, including Elton John, the Spice Girls, and Adele — yet nobody seems available or keen to participate in the celebrations of the big day.

The coronation is scheduled for May 6 at Westminster Abbey, and with the talent yet to be lined up, Buckingham Palace is striving to find someone willing to perform the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on May 7.

Too busy for the coronation

A source reported that the quest to secure musical talent for the event began with the pursuit of Elton John and Harry Styles, who both said no thank you, and after inviting a litany of other A-Listers, they have yet to find someone who is interested. The palace is now desperate for performers, working on a quick timeline to find talent keen to perform.

“Organizers are working against the clock to pull together an exciting lineup,” they said, “but have hit a series of challenges.”

“Elton John was top of Charles’ list ,” the source confirmed.

Reasons for declining the invite

Thus far, the confirmed list of stars to decline the prestigious invitation are Elton John, the Spice Girls, Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Robbie Williams.

The source said that “due to [Elton John’s] European tour, which sees him performing in Germany the Friday before then again soon after the Windsor concert, he isn’t able to make the dash to the U.K. work.”

As for Harry Styles, the insider noted that “man-of-the-moment Harry Styles is also tied up with touring and unable to get key band members together as they’ll be on much-needed downtime.”

Ed Sheeran had a scheduling conflict and Adele gave no apparent reason.

Robbie Williams and his band, Take That, were anticipated to have their reunion performance at the event, with the other band members planning on attending — until Williams declined.

The Royal Family also invited Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Lionel Richie — all who are expected to decline.

The coronation concert audience may be able to expect Olly Murs to play, along with Take That, minus their frontman.