Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort react after switching on stage lighting as they visit the host venue of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, Britain Apr 26, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
LONDON — Britain's King Charles and his wife Camilla unveiled the stage for next month's 2023 Eurovision Song Contest during a visit to the venue in the northern English city of Liverpool on Wednesday, saying he would be watching.
Charles and the Queen Consort, whose coronation will take place a few days before the competition, also met Britain's entrant Mae Muller and took part in the recording of a segment for the children's television entertainment show Blue Peter.
Next month will see a series of celebrations across Britain, with the formal coronation ceremony for Charles at Westminster Abbey on May 6
"We'll be watching with great interest, egging you on," the king told Muller.
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Liverpool is set to host the competition, on behalf of last year's winner Ukraine after it was unable to stage the competition because of the Ukraine conflict. Britain was the runner-up last year.
Following a countdown by onlookers, Charles and Camilla unveiled the competition stage by pressing a large pink button which initiated a series of colourful dancing stage lights and a pulsating beat.
Next month will see a series of celebrations across Britain, with the formal coronation ceremony for Charles at Westminster Abbey on May 6 and a concert the following day after at Windsor Castle.
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In February, Britain's government said it would make 3,000 tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest available to displaced Ukrainians and provide 10 million pounds (US$12.47 million) of funding to help host the competition.
The song contest will be hosted between May 9 and 13.
Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort stand on the stage after switching on stage lighting as they visit the host venue of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, Britain Apr 26, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort pose with the presenters of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, Scott Mills, Hannah Waddingham, Julia Sanina and Rylan Clark, in Liverpool, Britain Apr 26, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
Britain's King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort meet the presenters and invited viewers of TV show 'Blue Peter', as they visit the host venue of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, Britain Apr 26, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
Britain's King Charles, next to Camilla, Queen Consort, shakes hands with BBC Director General Tim Davie, as they meet the creative team of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, in Liverpool, Britain Apr 26, 2023. (PHOTO / REUTERS)
