The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Photo / Getty Images
The Prince and Princess of Wales donned matching velvet as they brought a touch of regal glamour to the Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday night.
The couple attended the annual charity event at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in two years. After a brief welcome on the red carpet, they headed inside, out of the bitter cold.
In the main foyer, the royal couple were introduced to Giles Cooper, the chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, before meeting half a dozen executives from the charity and ITV, which produces the show. The Princess said: “It is so nice to be back for the performance.”
Before taking their seats, the Princess was handed a posy of winter woodland-themed flowers by 9-year-old twins Emelie and Olivia Edwards.
The girls had been chosen because a family member works at the Royal Variety Charity’s residential care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, southwest London, where the flowers came from.
The show included an exclusive performance from Paddington The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre at the start of the month.
Bending down to chat to them, she asked: “Are you two fans of Paddington?” Bringing her finger to her lips, she added: “My kiddies will be very sad [to have missed the show] – we are going to have to keep it a big secret. They were very sad not to be joining us.”
The couple’s arrival in the royal box was announced by state trumpeters, with the audience taking to their feet as the Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem.
It was the sixth time the Prince and Princess had attended the show, and the first time since the Princess’ recovery from cancer. They had last attended in 2023.
They watched the cast of Paddington The Musical take to the stage, with pop star Jessie J and Grammy award-winning singer Laufey.
The new musical has been adapted from the much-loved books by Michael Bond, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, the McFly singer.
It brings the famous bear to life through the two-person team of James Hameed, as the remote puppeteer controlling the expressions and delivering the voice, and Arti Shah as the on-stage performer.
The Prince and Princess appeared delighted to meet Paddington after the show.
Prince William asked the bear if he could shake his hand, before admiring his marmalade sandwich, which he said looked “yummy”.
“The way you were singing was totally incredible, fantastic,” he said. “Was it very hot in there as well?”
In 2017, Kate encountered Paddington when she danced with a costumed figure of the bear at Paddington Station, and met the cast and crew of the Paddington 2 movie.
The late Elizabeth II famously appeared in a comedy sketch with a digitally animated Paddington to mark her Platinum Jubilee. In it, she revealed that she kept marmalade sandwiches – Paddington’s favourite treat – in her handbag.
When she died in 2022, mourners left Paddington cuddly toys and marmalade sandwiches outside Buckingham Palace in tribute.
The Princess of Wales was dressed in a green velvet gown with a wide V-neckline and fishtail skirt, which appears to be by Munich-based label Talbot Runhof – a new label for her.
It was completed by a Jenny Packham lamé clutch, the late Queen’s diamond Greville chandelier earrings, which she has worn for a number of important occasions, including the state banquet in honour of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron this summer.
On her wrist, she wore Queen Mary’s diamond bar choker bracelet – a piece that has been part of her evening repertoire since around 2015.
Jessie J, performing her new song I’ll Never Know Why, faced her own cancer surgery in June, with a mastectomy for breast cancer. The 37-year-old later revealed she was due to undergo a second operation and had to postpone her autumn tour.
Hosted by comedian Jason Manford, the evening also included Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe showcasing an extract from the musical Kinky Boots, while Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure introduced a one-off performance from the Live Aid musical Just For One Day.
The grand finale featured 400 performers, including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe, performing a medley in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the award-winning musical Les Misérables.
Afterwards, the Prince and Princess chatted to some of the performers and representatives from the Royal Variety Charity.
Prince William told Sir Stephen Fry that his whole family had watched Celebrity Traitors.
“Good to see you out of your robes,” he said. “We love it. All the children watched it.”
Meanwhile, singer Jessie J told the Princess about her breast cancer diagnosis in June.
“I just had breast cancer,” she said. “I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.”
Cooper, who is also the executive producer of the Royal Variety Performance, said: “This annual great British institution, viewed by a worldwide TV audience of over 150 million, continues to be a crucial fundraising event supporting people in all areas of performance, either on or off stage.
“In this pressurised world of working in the entertainment industry, our mental health initiative, started in 2024, has been a lifeline for many who are experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression or addiction.”
The Royal Variety Performance was first staged in 1912 for King George V and Queen Mary in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, which supports those working in the entertainment industry.
Members of the royal family attend the event each year. Last year, the King watched the show alone after the Queen had to pull out with a viral infection.
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