This evening, The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, were back at the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall. The annual event is one of the staple element of British Royal Calendar. William and Kate were joined by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, who were on a short trip to the UK.
Earlier in the day, The Prince and Princess of Wales met with Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden at the Windsor Castle.
The Royal Variety Performance is the entertainment industry’s annual fundraising event for the Royal Variety Charity. Late Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of Royal Variety Charity. The roots of the event dates back to 1907 and it takes it current form in 1912 when King George V and Queen Mary attended the event for the first time. In 1921, The Charity receives its first Royal Patronage when King George V became the first Patron and declared ‘The Monarch or a senior member of the Royal family would attend an annual fundraising event in aid of Brinsworth House and the Royal Variety Charity‘.
Since 1921, every reigning Monarch has been the patron of Royal Variety Charity and pledged their support to the charity that was formerly known as the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are attending the @RoyalVariety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall tonight together with The Crown Princess of Sweden and Prince Daniel 👑 pic.twitter.com/NQBdrSitAG
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 30, 2023
The Royal Variety Performance takes place every year, either in London or in a theatre around the United Kingdom. The event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, which supports members of the entertainment industry with a nationwide grants scheme, to help those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry during this very difficult economic climate.
The Royal Variety Charity owns and manages its own residential and nursing care home for elderly entertainers, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, and also offers a nationwide grant scheme to assist those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry and are in need of help. The charity strives to support all those, both young and old, who’ve worked on the stage, in the wings, in front of a camera, or behind it, as well as all those who have spent their lives working in the numerous support industries dedicated to entertainment.
The entertainment evening was hosted by Bradley Walsh and included the performances of Cher, Crazy For You, Derren Brown’s ‘unbelievable’, Disney 100 Medley: The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules & Beauty And The Beast, Ellie Taylor, Hannah Waddingham With The Eno Chorus, Lang Lang And Lucy, Malevo, Mcfly, Melanie C & Ben Forster (In A Tribute To Bill Kenwright), National Youth Choir, Paloma Faith, Rick Astley, Rosie Jones, Simon Brodkin, Sister Act Ft. Beverley Knight, The Little Big Things, Tom Allen, Viggo Venn (Winner Of Britain’s Got Talent), Welsh Guards Band, and Zara Larsson.
William and Kate has attended the event 4 times since getting married in April 2011. The couple made their first appearance in 2014 when Kate wore her dazzling black DVF Zarita gown.
The Royal couple returned to the star-studded evening in 2017 where Catherine dazzled in an embellished Jenny Packham number.
In 2019, William and Kate returned to the charity event and Kate chose a stunning black lace gown from Alexander McQueen.
Their last appearance at the evening event was in 2021 where Princess Kate brought her green Jenny Packham from Pakistan visit back.
What The Princess of Wales wore to the 2023 Royal Variety Performance
- Safiyaa Talina Poseidon Long Dress – (New – thanks to Japanese_Ginger for the id)
- Jenny Packham Casa Clutch – (Repeat – Debuted October 2015)
- J.Crew Crystal and Glass Pearl Stud Earrings – (Repeat – November 2018)
- Gianvito Rossi 105 Teal pumps – (Repeat – Debuted March 2023)
- Unidentified bracelet – (New)
Kate was wearing Safiyaa Destiny Poseidon Long Dress. The £1,288 Teal gown featured boat neck and split sleeve in poseidon Heavy Crepe with smoke/crystal Crystal Trim B embroidery.
The jewellery at the neckline of the dress was the only embellishment on the otherwise simple but structured gown that Kate paired with a fashionable bracelet. It remains unidentified so far.
Kate paired the look with her J.Crew Crystal and Glass Pearl Stud Earrings
and carried Jenny Packham Casa Clutch.
After much deliberations and Carly (from Kate Middleton Style blog)’s deep dive into heel cap details, I believe the Princess of Wales was wearing her Gianvito Rossi 105 Teal pumps that she first wore at the St. Patrick’s Day parade this year.
