It’s one of the big nights on the royal calendar each November – the Royal Variety Performance! This year was due to be Charles and Camilla’s turn in attendance, as the senior working Royals tend to rotate this event in their schedule but, due to the fact they are currently on tour, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the royal attendees this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Palladium Theatre.
Picture by James Whatling
Upon arrival, Prince William and Kate met with some of the performers of tonight’s show. Among the performers was the cast of the new Mary Poppins musical, which opens this week in the Prince Edward Theatre. The cast was actually going to perform for everyone at the Palladium and then quickly leave so they could perform in their own show. William was heard exclaiming; “I love Mary Poppins!”
While the Duchess, who was told by actress Petula Clark that she should bring the children to see the show, said George, Charlotte and Louis “would love it”.
Meeting the cast of @MaryPoppins ahead of this evening's #RoyalVarietyPerformance, in aid of the @RoyalVariety Charity #Variety4Charity pic.twitter.com/iFMtauA7jw
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 18, 2019
Speaking of the younger Cambridges, Kate told those before the show that the three were very excited upon hearing of the show and wanted to accompany their parents this year – but they were informed by their parents that they could not as it was a school night. Not to worry, we are sure they will be in attendance at many Royal Variety Performances in the future!
The Royal Variety Performance began back in 1912 and is attended by one or more a senior members of the Royal Family, that first one being attended. by King George V and Queen Mary. Now in its 107th year, the Performance is the entertainment industry’s annual fundraiser for the Royal Variety Charity, whose sole-Patron in The Queen and which assists those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry and are in need of help.
After spending some time chatting with the performers, the royal couple made their way to the Royal Box where they would watch the show From. The line-up was stellar, as always, with the show being presented by Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett. The comedians were joined by the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Mabel, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sandé, the cast of Come From Away and the Manchester Bee Vocal Choir performing. Missing from the lineup was Rod Stewart, who had to pull out at the last minute on the orders of his doctor.
Ranganathan and Beckett introduced the couple to the audience, saying the pair were enjoying a “date night”. The couple laughed as the Duke nodded his head in agreement. The rest of the night was filled with laughs and smiles from both.
On stage as part of their stand up, Ranganathan said he also had three children. He guessed that William and Catherine thought the same thing when they saw their three children running into their bedroom each morning: “Why did we do this?!” The answer was an approval of laughter.
Following a fantastic night of entertainment, featuring some amazing performances from all those involved, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left the box and made their way down to meet once again with performers and executives from the Royal Variety Charity. They spoke about the performances.
The couple soon left the Palladium Theatre in London, the ‘date night’ over and the Royal Variety Performance finished for another year. At home were, more than likely, three sleeping children who will excitedly be asking their parents questions all about the night when they wake up tomorrow morning.
The Royal Variety will be televised in December, so you can enjoy the performances too.
