10 Musicians Who Performed In Front Of Royalty

August 2024 · 5 minute read

While many musicians love to brag about performing for large audiences, other celebrities, or even presidents, only some of them can say that they have actually performed for kings and queens. And, needless to say, singing for royalty definitely does wonders for one's career.

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Today we are taking a look at some of the most popular artists who have performed for royal families around the world. From Lady Gaga to One Direction — keep on scrolling to find out just who ended up on our list!

10 Ed Sheeran

Kicking the list off is the English singer and songwriter, Ed Sheeran, who is not a stranger to performing for the British royal family. The first time that the "Shape of You" singer performed for the royals was back in 2012 at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Two years later, Sheeran sang once again for the royal family at the Royal Variety Performance.

9 Coldplay

Let's move on to the British pop-rock band Coldplay, whose biggest hits include songs like "Paradise", "Viva la Vida", and "Hymn for the Weekend". The band's first royal performance was in 2016 when they performed at a benefit concert for HIV-positive children in Africa, which was organized by Prince Harry. In 2017, Coldplay sang at a concert in Brussels for Queen Paola of Belgium and her daughter, Princess Astrid.

8 Taylor Swift

Back in 2013, America's sweetheart Taylor Swift performed at the Winter Whites Gala at Kensington Palace. Not only did she sing FOR royalty, Taylor even got to sing WITH one — Swift and Bon Jovi sang "Livin On A Prayer" together with Prince William.

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While talking to Daily Mail, the "Look What You Made Me Do" singer said: 'We jumped on the stage and started to sing and then we were really yelling into the microphone and clapping hands. 'I still can't believe I've sung with Prince William."

7 George Michael

Next on the list is the late George Michael, who rose to fame as a part of a music duo Wham! before going solo. The Grammy-winning singer performed for Princess Diana back in 1993 at Concert of Hope. The two were even very good friends. In a 2016 interview with Mirror, the singer said: "I thought she was so great not to be consumed by everything that had happened to her and to keep giving and giving. I thought she was a really great person - the Elvis of compassion."

6 Lady Gaga

Throughout her career, Lady Gaga has done many outstanding performances. From the Oscars and the Grammys to presidential inaugurations — she's done it all. Mother Monster even got to meet and perform for Queen Elizabeth II back in 2009 at the Royal Variety Performance, where she gave a theatrical performance of her song "Speechless". Gaga returned to Royal Variety Performance once more in 2016 to sing her power-ballad "Million Reasons" and this time she met Prince Charles.

5 Andrea Bocelli

Let's move on to one of the most recognizable voices in the world, Andrea Bocelli, who has performed for several royal families during his career so far. Apart from performing for the British royal family at Royal Variety Performance in 1999, 2005, and 2012, Bocelli also performed in front of Queen Rania of Jordan in 2008. Five years later, the singer also sang for the Serbian royal family in Belgrade.

4 One Direction

British boyband One Direction had the opportunity to sing at three different Royal Variety Performances, in 2012, 2014, and 2015. In addition to performing, the boys also got to meet Prince William and his wife Kate back in 2014. Harry Styles revealed to E! Online that he congratulated Kate on the bump, while Liam Payne said that was "the most nervous I think I've ever been in my life"

3 Duran Duran

The legendary English new wave band Duran Duran has been around since 1978. Just like Elton John, Kylie Minogue, and Pink — Princess Diana was also a huge fan of the bend. In 2007, Duran Duran performed at Concert for Diana, a benefit concert honoring the late Princess. During the performance, the frontman said: "We are honored that she always referred to Duran Duran as her favorite band as she was certainly our favorite princess."

2 Josh Groban

Another musician who's performed for royalty is the American singer and songwriter, Josh Groban. Groban has performed three times for the British royals at Royal Variety Performance in 2004, 2008, and 2015.

Related: 10 Times Musicians Walked Off Stage Mid-Concert

In addition to performing for the British Royals, Groban also performed for the Queen of Denmark for her 75th birthday. The singer took to Twitter after the performance and wrote, "Denmark, it was a pleasure to be back in your beautiful country to sing for Queen Margarethe's 75'th birthday! To many more."

1 Ellie Goulding

Wrapping up today's list is the English singer and songwriter, Ellie Goulding, who's been active in the music industry since 2009. The Grammy Award-nominated singer had the honor to perform at Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding back in 2011 when she sang a cover of Elton John's "Your Song". When speaking to Vanity Fair about the performance, Goulding said: "I did their first dance and like, talk about scary. I was so nervous, my hands were shaking." Goulding also performed for the British royal family in 2016 for England's Commonwealth Day.

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