The Prince and Princess of Wales brought their signature elegance to the red carpet on Wednesday evening for the 113th Royal Variety Performance at London's Royal Albert Hall.
A Night of Regal Style
Princess Kate made a stunning entrance in a figure-hugging green velvet gown, which featured a dramatic cape detail with red accents. She complemented the look with her signature loose curls and elegant diamond drop earrings.
Prince William coordinated perfectly, opting for a sophisticated black velvet suit jacket worn unbuttoned over a crisp white shirt and bow tie. The couple's appearance marks their sixth time attending the prestigious event, but their first since the Princess's recovery from cancer in 2024.
A Star-Studded Lineup Awaits
Inside the historic venue, the royal couple were treated to a spectacular show. The evening's performers included pop star Jessie J, Grammy award-winning singer Laufey, and the iconic band Madness.
A highlight of the night was a performance by the cast of the new Paddington musical, adapted for the West End from Michael Bond's beloved books and the hit films. The musical features an innovative puppetry system, with James Hameed as the remote puppeteer controlling the bear's expressions and voice, and Arti Shah as the on-stage performer.
The royal connection to the famous bear runs deep. In 2017, Kate danced with a costumed Paddington at Paddington Station. The late Queen Elizabeth II also famously starred in a Platinum Jubilee sketch with the digitally animated bear, a moment that inspired touching public tributes of marmalade sandwiches and Paddington toys following her passing in 2022.
A Celebration of Performance History
Comedian Jason Manford hosted the 2025 event, which also featured a special performance from the Live Aid musical, Just For One Day, introduced by its creators Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
The grand finale was a spectacular medley celebrating the 40th anniversary of Les Miserables, featuring 400 performers including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, and Katy Secombe.
This year's event continues a tradition dating back to 1912, when King George V and Queen Mary first attended. King Charles attended the previous year's performance alone, as Queen Camilla was unable to join him due to a chest infection that developed into viral pneumonia.
