Prince Edward busts a move in tartan at National Youth Theatre fundraiser

Prince Edward spent Monday night with Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page and Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike in support of one of his patronages, the National Youth Theatre. 

Wearing a striking burgundy velvet blazer and tartan trousers, the Earl of Wessex attended the National Youth Theatre Nostalgic Fantastic Fundraising Gala. Prince Edward, Page, Pike, and many other celebrities gathered to raise money for the NYT. 

Edward looked to be enjoying himself as he spoke with many current and former students at the gala. He posed for pictures with several different celebrities, took to the dance floor with Pike, and even gave a speech at the beginning of the evening. 

The in-person auction had nearly 90 items to bid on and included tickets to several West End productions with NYT alumni performing. There was also an online auction, and as of early Tuesday morning, the online auction had raised over £87,000. The funds will go to help the theatre to perform more outreach and to be able to give more young people the opportunities to experience performing and taking part in theatre who may not otherwise have the chance. 

Prince Edward has been the Patron of the National Youth Theatre since 1987 and has been involved with the theatre for much of his life. Many people have suggested that he took the Wessex title on account of the Earl of Wessex character in Shakespeare in Love. 

The NYT was established in 1956, and they have “nurtured the talent of hundreds of thousands of young people over 60 years. [They] inspire, nurture and showcase exceptional performers and theatre technicians from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commissioning brave and relevant new writing and reinterpreting classic stories for our time.”

The NYT took part in the Welcoming Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.