TOP Gun star Tom Cruise saluted King Charles as his “wingman” at last night’s stunning Windsor Castle coronation party.
The real-life flier, 60, appeared in a pre-recorded video of him piloting his P-51 Mustang.
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It was shown during a concert on the castle’s east lawn featuring Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — plus Miss Piggy and Kermit.
Cruise — Maverick in the films — paid tribute to King Charles, who trained as an RAF pilot before joining the Royal Navy to fly helicopters and ending his military career in 1976.
Cruise declared: “Pilot to pilot. Your Majesty, you can be my wingman any time.”
High-flying Katy Perry, in a spectacular low-cut gold gown, wowed the crowd from the biggest stage ever seen in Britain with hits Roar and Firework, while Kate and William waved Union Jacks in the crowd.
Katy said: “Thanks for having me. Thanks for bringing out the firework in so many young people.”
Take That delivered a fitting finale with their performances of Greatest Day, Shine and Never Forget, featuring an intro from The Choristers of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Earlier, Muppets Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy made a surprise appearance for a sketch with host Hugh Bonneville.
Referring to his Downton Abbey role, Miss Piggy was ecstatic to meet a “real lord” and suggested she could become his Lady.
The pair left, but not before proclaiming “King Charlesy-warlsey” was expecting them.
Other collaborations included Maestro Andrea Bocelli and Sir Bryn Terfel, who sang You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The Windsor crowd went wild as Lionel Richie launched into Easy before getting the King on his feet with All Night Long.
Also dancing along in the royal box was Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Paloma Faith sang Lullaby while Alexis Ffrench and Zak Abel performed 1980s Simple Minds hit Don’t You Forget About Me.
In a tribute to the King’s green campaigning, fashion designer Stella McCartney told the audience: “His Majesty has been shining a spotlight on conservation and protecting our planet for 50 years now.
“He champions hope and action and in that hopeful spirit on this happy day the work of healing our planet should be and must be the cause that unites us, never the cause that divides us. “
Amid it all, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet starred discussing The King’s love of red squirrels in a cartoon.
The bear said: “Christopher Robin told me His Majesty loves red squirrels so much he sometimes gives them names and lets them into his house.
“I believe the squirrels are rather fond of His Majesty too.”
Towns and cities around the country were treated to spectacular displays as ten locations were illuminated as part of Lighting Up The Nation. These included Blackpool and Edinburgh.
There was also the first multi-location drone show, with 1,000 taking to the nation’s skies.
A Welsh Dragon made up of drones, spanning 140m, lit up the skies over Cardiff.
A watering can appeared to hover above the Eden Project’s famous domes in Cornwall.
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LAD ZEPPELIN
PRINCE George is a big fan of heavy rock music, his dad revealed yesterday.
The Prince of Wales said the nine-year-old liked classic Brit band Led Zeppelin — fronted by Robert Plant, left — as well as AC/DC.
Windsor Rock Choir’s Caroline Mulvihill said: “Will was telling us in their household they have a very diverse music taste and George is very much into AC/DC and Led Zeppelin.”