Are any Americans going to the Coronation of Charles III? Is President Joe Biden going?

Around 2,200 guests are expected to attend the scaled-down coronation of King Charles. The number of attendees, though seemingly large, is only a fraction of the more than 8,000 people who witnessed the crowning of the late Queen Elizabeth back in 1953.

Why is President Joe Biden not attending King Charles’ coronation?

A handful of Americans will be present at the celebration, but President Joe Biden will not be among them. He will be represented by the first lady, Jill Biden.

The White House is quick to point out that the absence of Mr. Biden is not a snub. His non-attendance is simply in keeping with a long-standing practice, as no sitting US president has ever put in an appearance at a coronation in England.

Another American whose absence is noteworthy is actress Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and wife to Prince Harry, who will be seated away from the British Royal Family at the event. Their children will also not be present. The date of the coronation coincides with the fourth birthday of Archie, the couple’s eldest son and Prince of Sussex.

READ ALSO:

Are any Americans going to the coronation of King Charles III?

Singer-songwriter Lionel Richie has confirmed that he will be at the coronation ceremony. The 73-year-old has a prior relationship with the king, being appointed the first global ambassador of The Prince’s Trust in 2019. Richie will also perform at the Coronation Concert.

The other Americans who will be part of the festivities are singers Katy Perry and Nicole Scherzinger, who will both put in performances at the concert. Like Richie, Perry has a past association with the new monarch. The multi-awarded singer-songwriter was named an ambassador of a charity co-founded by then-Prince Charles called The British Asian Trust in 2020.