The Princess of Wales shimmered in green velvet on a shiveringly cold evening in London as she and Prince William headed to one of the oldest events in the royal calendar.
Embed from Getty ImagesFor over a century, the Royal Variety Performance has been attended by kings, queens, princes and princesses. Royals take it in turns to go – last year, it was King Charles and Queen Camilla in attendance and this year, it’s William and Kate.
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at the Royal Albert Hall in south Kensington on one of the chilliest nights of the autumn so far. Temperatures in London have felt around freezing all day with flurries of snow seen in the capital earlier on but that didn’t deter the Princess who arrived in an off the shoulder green velvet gown with only the smallest of sleeves.
Embed from Getty ImagesPrince William got a better deal in the cold weather, choosing a full evening suit. The couple were greeted on their arrival and quickly taken through to the royal box where things were a little warmer.
The Royal Variety Performance is held every year to help raise funds for those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry and now need support.
It was started in 1912 by Prince William’s great, great grandfather, King George V, who had originally wanted the charitable event to take place in his Coronation year. He was forced to wait twelve months after the venue chosen for the show was hit by a last minute fire.
Since then, a member of the Royal Family has usually been in attendance – the Prince and Princess of Wales last took part in 2023, in what would prove to be one of Kate’s last public appearances before her illness from which she is now recovered.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Princess, who has said her health must still be her priority, looked thrilled to be back at the event which comes after a busy start to the week. The day before, Kate spoke at the Future Workforce Summit in the City of London where she highlighted the importance of love, care and tenderness in the earliest years of a child’s life.
Prince William, meanwhile, had joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Reception for the Diplomatic Corps which was held at Windsor Castle for the first time in almost 25 years. Queen Camilla surprised many with her tiara pick at the event, choosing an emerald and diamond diadem that had only previously been seen on Princess Eugenie on her wedding day.
This year’s Royal Variety Show is being hosted by Jason Manford and will feature performances from Paddington the Musical as well as a celebration of Les Miserables as it reaches its 40th anniversary.
