The pop veteran, who performed at the monarch’s coronation concert last year and has long been associated with his Prince’s Trust charity, opened up about his pal’s health issues when attending the King’s Trust Global Galain New York this week.
He revealed Charles has come a long way since his diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer back in February.
Richie told People: “Happily I can say, he is doing fantastic. Again, I understand, he needs to sit still, you know what I’m saying.
“The most important part is he is doing well. He’s back to his duties and so therefore, I wouldn’t want the first thing for him to do is come over [to the US] – let’s not prove anything here.”
He went on to reveal he expects Charles to call him to ask how the New York charity event on Friday went. Richie said: “Believe me, my question [from him] now is, ‘How was it?’ After I finish tonight, I’m gonna get that call saying, ‘Well, how was it?’”
King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared on American Idol with judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Photo / American Idol
He told ETOnlione.com: “It’s an honour. I mean, first of all, when you’ve been in the business a long time, and, of course, when you get an invitation like this, the answer is absolutely.
The pair met with patients and staff at the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital and Camilla later revealed her husband was happy to be out and about again.
Speaking to Teresa Tideman, chair of In Kind Direct at a Buckingham Palace reception for those who support survivors of sexual abuse on Wednesday, she said: “I think he was really thrilled to be out. I’ve been trying to hold him back.”
