Celebs Who Turned Down Royal Invitations

"The King has suggested a number of people he would like to perform and Adele and Ed were on that list. He was very keen that they were part of the concert," is what an insider recently told The Daily Mail. Both of the superstars, however, have reportedly declined the opportunity to perform at King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023. Sheeran, who is expected to perform in Texas that night, has an obvious conflict. But the reason for Adele's refusal isn't as clear, because the songstress is not scheduled to perform publicly after her Las Vegas residency concludes on March 25. 

King Charles' coronation will reportedly be scaled down from the type of fête his mother, Queen Elizabeth, received nearly seventy years ago. His guest list will include a mere 2,000 invitees (as opposed to the 8,300 who were present in 1953) and many of the time-consuming rituals will be omitted in order to shorten the ceremony from nearly four hours to just about an hour. Despite what has been dubbed as a "snub" by some royal watchers, viewers will undoubtedly enjoy top-tier entertainment. OK! reports that Harry Styles and The Spice Girls are rumored to be in talks to perform.

Gino D'Acampo grew up in Italy, but only became a celebrity chef after moving to England (per Daily Mail). In the years since opening his first restaurant at the age of 21, he has published several cookbooks and appeared on numerous television shows, including popular British program "This Morning". 

As much as D'Acampo loves food, however, his own picky palate is to blame for refusing an invitation from Queen Elizabeth herself. "I was invited to the Palace for tea just before Covid, but a cucumber sandwich is my worst nightmare. I don't like tea either, so I phoned my agent and said, 'I'd love to meet her, but I don't like tea and cucumber sandwiches, and I can't do either of those things.'" He also cited having to wear a tie for the occasion as an additional deal breaker. 

This is amusing in light of the fact that D'Acampo, who shares three children with his wife, claims to be very strict when it comes to their eating habits. In what might be considered an example of "do as I say, not as I do," he shared (via Hello!), "My kids are not allowed to be fussy eaters. The problem with fussy children is their stupid parents. I run a family kitchen and in my house we don't have options. I never had options, why should they?" 

Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French have had wildly successful careers in comedy, having created hit shows together like "French and Saunders" and "Absolutely Fabulous." The women, who both grew up in Royal Air Force families, met at the Central School of Speech and Drama (per The Guardian) and began writing and performing together. The talented twosome went on to create seven series together over the course of two decades. 

When referred to as a "national treasure," Saunders responded [that it] "sounds far too sensible to me. I'd much rather be a national nuisance." Regardless of how she characterizes herself, Queen Elizabeth sought to award her and French with OBEs (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2001. The pair refused on the grounds that "it made a mockery" of the honor (per Daily Mail). Having grown up in a military family, Saunders' father had received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) and felt unworthy of a similar honor. "He got it and he deserved it. He worked really hard and he was a brilliant man and he did an awful lot. But we just jumped up on stage, messed about, and made money," she said.

The year was 2007, and some of America's biggest stars (including Madonna) were living in England with their British spouses. Hoping to capitalize on their presence, Queen Elizabeth planned an event at Buckingham Palace aimed at celebrating the great relationship between the United States and Britain (per Express). Madonna, who was married to director Guy Ritchie at the time, lived with her husband in Queen's Gate Mews in Kensington, which is located just over two miles from Buckingham Palace.  

Unfortunately for the queen, the party would be decidedly less exciting because the Material Girl declined the invitation citing a previously scheduled engagement. Several other American stars would also beg off, leaving the queen with a guest list that was characterized as less than stellar. Madge's representative spoke on her behalf saying, "Madonna was invited but unfortunately had to decline because of a schedule conflict." She stipulated, however, that Madonna had written to the queen to thank her for the invitation. Hopefully, the monarch lived the rest of her life in fond remembrance of meeting Madonna in 2002 when she curtseyed upon their introduction at the London premiere of "Die Another Day."

Prior to his death in 2016, pop star George Michael had several occasions to hobnob with the royal family, largely due to the friendship that he had enjoyed with Princess Diana. According to Express, Michael claimed that he and the Princess of Wales clicked instantly, citing that, "She was very like a lot of women that have been attracted to me in my life because they see something non-threatening." 

The royal snub that had Michael feeling guilty, however, was not perpetrated against Di, but against her eldest son, Prince William, who was a youngster at the time. In his book "George Michael: A Life," author James Gavin wrote about the interaction that made the Wham! singer cringe for years following the incident. "The prince, then eight, approached him, [and asked] 'Would you sing a song and Uncle Elton play the piano?'" Michael declined (per Express), explaining Piers Morgan in 2011 that, "I can't believe I said no to the future king of England but I really was too embarrassed to sing in front of strangers." Michael would later make it up to Prince William when he recorded a version of Stevie Wonder's "You and I" as a wedding gift for him and Kate Middleton.