King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla unveil Eurovision stage in Liverpool
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla have visited Liverpool, in the UK's north, to see preparations for the upcoming Eurovision song contest.
It marks the first time in 25 years that the UK is hosting the event, taking over duties on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, which won the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy.
The monarch and his wife unveiled the staging inside the M&S Bank Arena on Wednesday before meeting with the hosts of this year's show.
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King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla have visited Liverpool, in the UK's north, to see preparations for the upcoming Eurovision song contest. Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The monarch and his wife unveiled the staging inside the M&S Bank Arena on Wednesday before meeting with hosts of this year's show. Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP
Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham will be hosting the extravaganza alongside UK TV personality Rylan Clark, TV and radio presenter Scott Mills and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina.
After touring the backstage area, Charles and Camilla inspected the control desk in the main Arena Bowl, meeting staff and UK apprentices who are busily preparing the Arena for the May 13 event.
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The King and Queen Consort were then invited to light and animate the arena with the set, sound and lighting directors, revealling the Eurovision staging for the first time.
After touring the backstage area, Charles and Camilla inspected the control desk in the main Arena Bowl. Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The King and Queen Consort were then invited to light and animate the Arena, revealling the Eurovision staging for the first time. Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
After chatting to the show's hosts on stage, the royal couple headed to the green room, where they met the UK Eurovision entrant, Mae Muller.
While it's been a long time since the UK last hosted the song contest, in Birmingham back in 1998, the country has hosted Eurovision a record eight times.
One of the most famous years was back in 1974, when the ceremony was held in Brighton.
King Charles shares a laugh with Scott Mills (right) and Hannah Waddingham (second right) as the Queen consort chats to Rylan Clark and Julia Sanina. Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP
After chatting to the show's hosts on stage, they royal couple headed to the Green Room, where they met the UK Eurovision entrant, Mae Muller. Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP
It featured a young Olivia Newton-John competing for the UK, where the late Australian icon was born.
The Long Live Love singer was beaten by a then-little-known Swedish band named ABBA, who burst onto the scene with the hit Waterloo.
Australia officially joined the annual competition in 2015 as a wildcard entry for the show's 60th birthday celebrations.
Muller will represent the UK with her pop hit I Wrote a Song, as the UK hosts the song contest for the first time in 25 years. Phil Noble/Pool Photo via AP
This year, Australia will be represented by Perth progressive metal band Voyager – the first time a band has represented the country at Eurovision. Supplied
Jessica Mauboy performed during the 2014 final as a special guest when the song contest was held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in a nod to Princess Mary's home country.
This year, Australia will be represented by Perth progressive metal band Voyager – the first time a band has represented the country at Eurovision.
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