King Charles III coronation: Julie Bishop posts ‘inappropriate’ Westminster Abbey selfie with Lionel Ritchie

Australia’s former Foreign Minister has copped criticism, lead by a prominent entertainment reporter, over series of photos she posted from inside King Charles III’s coronation.

Star-struck Julie Bishop found herself seated next to legendary American singer-songwriter Lionel Richie inside Westminster Abbey, and documented the moment with a selfie in which both beamed at the camera with their heads close together.

“A magnificent Coronation Service of great beauty, solemnity and historical significance,” she captioned her less-than-solemn photo carousel, which included multiple shots from inside and outside the church.

The encounter with the king of soul was not random, with the unlikely pair sharing a royal connection.

Ms Bishop is the chair of the Australian branch of The Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by the King in the 1970’s when he was the Prince of Wales, while Ritchie is its global ambassador.

But back in her homeland, Australian showbiz commentator Peter Ford took to Twitter to slam the post, saying it was inappropriate to take selfies inside the religious building.

“It’s a place of worship, not a red carpet,” he went on to write in the tweet’s thread.

“Do what you choose outside, but not once you enter the sacred place.”

His comments were met with agreement from a number of Twitter users who weighed in.

“I watched others taking selfies with notable people, and questioned the appropriateness of it in the Cathedral,” one said.

“Considering her role, she should have known better than Lionel Richie. Not even a good selfie #epicfail,” another wrote.

Others defended the stunt, turning the heat back onto Ford.

“Not so sure. It was a celebration and not a funeral. There was a fair bit of time from when a lot of them arrived to things starting. I expect she was far from only one,” someone commented.

“Peter, is this embarrassing for you? It should be embarrassing.”

This Monday The West pays tribute to the dawning of a new era. See how the world celebrated the coronation of King Charles III in a special commemorative 12-page wrap. All the colour and excitement, only in The West on Monday.