The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a glamorous evening out as they attended the Royal Variety Performance on Monday evening.
The Performance was hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, and included performances by the Bee Vocal Choir, Cirque du Soleil, Colin Thackery (the winner of Britain’s Got Talent), the cast of Come From Away, Emili Sande, Flo and Joan, Frank Skinner, the cast of Groan Ups, Harry Connick Jr., Jamie Cullum, The Kanneh-Masons, Kerry Godliman, Lewis Capaldi, Luke Evans, Mabel, the cast of Mary Poppins, Robbie Williams, and Zurcaroh.
Sir Rod Stewart had been set to perform as well, however he had to pull out at the last minute due to health concerns.
“Due to a throat infection and on strict doctor’s orders I’m absolutely devastated to say I’m unable to perform at The Royal Variety Performance tonight, an amazing show which I love being part of,” Stewart posted on his Instagram.
“It’s going to be a great evening with some fantastic talent and I’m very disappointed that I can’t be there to give my support. Variety4Charity.”
Embed from Getty ImagesPrior to the Performance beginning, William and Kate met with some of the performers, including the cast members of Mary Poppins.
Zizi Strallen, who is appearing on the West End as the titular Mary Poppins, told William that the cast still had a show that evening, and that they’d be racing to the theatre after their performance.
Petula Clark, who is playing the Bird Lady, told Kate that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis should come to a show some day, with Kate replying that “They would love it.”
Kate also revealed that their children had wanted to come to the Royal Variety Performance with them because they were excited by the singing and dancing aspect, but Kate said she told them “Not on a school night!”
During the show, when Beckett and Ranganathan introduced William and Kate, they asked the royals if they’d paid the babysitter until midnight or 1 am.
After the show, William and Kate took to the stage and met with the hosts and more performers, including the hosts, who presented William with a commemorative tea towel that featured Beckett’s and Ranganathan’s faces on them instead of the royal profiles.
William joked that he was going to give it to Lupo as a gift, as he’d be the only person who’d want it.
Kate spoke to two young performers from Mary Poppins, Nuala Peberby and Fred Wilcox, who presented her with a bouquet. William asked, “How come I get a dodgy tea towel and she gets some flowers?”
Peberby told the Daily Mail that Kate was impressed that they were starring in a West End show.
“She told us how lucky we were to be on stage in the West End and asked how we managed to do it with all our school work. I can’t tell you how exciting it was to meet them.”
Embed from Getty ImagesPeberby also said that Kate told her how Prince George and Princess Charlotte enjoy staging their own shows at home. “She said that her children love performing at home, particularly Charlotte.”
Another young performer, Aurelia, from the gymnastics troupe Zucaroh, said that “It was such an honour to perform for them.”
The Royal Variety Performance was taped to air on ITV in December. According to the Royal Variety Charity, since it began airing on television, the Performance has been viewed by over 152 million viewers worldwide, “making it the most successful and longest running entertainment show in the world.”
The Royal Variety Charity has enjoyed a long association with the British Royal Family, including patronage from the monarch since 1921. A senior member of the Royal Family has attended every single performance over the years.
Currently, Prince Charles and Camilla, William and Kate, and Harry and Meghan rotate yearly with their attendance.
