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.
For 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.
Prince 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.
The 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.
