The Princess of Wales has said George, Charlotte, and Louis will be jealous that she and Prince William had a meet and greet with Britain’s beloved sandwich-wielding Paddington Bear.
William and Catherine, both 43, joined an array of stars like Jessie J, Matt Lucas and host Jason Manford at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Royal Variety Performance, which senior members of the Royal Family take turns to support.
Among this year’s cast was the world-famous Paddington, whom both Catherine and William were particularly taken with. The future King even remarked on the bear’s ‘yummy’ sandwich.
‘Can I shake your hand? Your sandwich looks very nice,’ William asked the bear. ‘The way you were singing was totally incredible.’ And as Paddington tipped his hat, William beamed, pointing to his sandwich and saying: ‘It looks very yummy.’
However, it was before the annual charity event, when Kate told nine-year-old Emelie and Olivia Edwards, who handed the royal a stunning posy of winter-themed flowers, that her children would be sad not to have seen beloved Paddington.
Bending down to speak to the twins in a green velvet evening gown, the Duchess of Cambridge called the flowers ‘sweet’ while asking the girls if they were excited about the night ahead and if they were Paddington fans.
Nodding, Catherine told them: ‘My kiddies will be very sad [to have missed the show], we are going to have to keep it a big secret.’
Bringing her finger to her lips, she added: ‘They were very sad not to be joining us.’
Prince William and Princess Kate were particularly taken with Paddington on Wednesday at the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
The Duke of Wales even kindly asked the beloved bear if he could shake his hand while remarking, ‘Your sandwich looks very nice’
The Prince and Princess of Wales made a dazzling entrance yesterday at the Royal Variety Performance
Thanking Emelia and Olivia again, the Prince of Wales described them as ‘very smiley,’ with Catherine adding: ‘It’s infectious.’
The two young girls had been chosen because a family member works at the charity’s residential care home, Brinsworth House in Twickenham, where the flowers had been plucked.
Arriving outside the main entrance to the building before taking their seats in the Royal Box earlier this evening, the Princess was the picture of elegance in a green velvet evening gown, while William looked dapper in a black tie.
Catherine paired her emerald dress, thought to be from German luxury fashion brand Talbot Runhof, with the exquisite Greville chandelier earrings, once favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II and crafted by Cartier over eleven years.
The outing marked a rare joint ‘black tie’ evening for the royal couple, after William attended the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle last night solo.
Despite cold and sleet in the British capital, fans were out in force to see Catherine join her prince just a stone’s throw from their London base at Kensington Palace.
The Wales’s arrival at the Royal box was met by state trumpeters, while Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem as the crowd stood to greet the royal couple.
This year’s show was hosted by Jason Manford and included an exclusive performance from Paddington The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre at the start of the month.
The beloved fictional bear became synonymous with the late Queen Elizabeth after she appeared in a cameo with the marmalade-loving character for her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The Princess of Wales is a vision in an emerald green velvet dress as she leaves the Royal Variety Performance
Princess of Wales depart the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on November 19, 2025 in London
Catherine looked elegant in a full-length green velvet evening gown for the glittering event
The Princess of Wales dazzled in a velvet gown and the late Queen’s diamond Cartier earrings
In a sweet moment, William placed his hand on his wife’s back as he guided her into the hall
Catherine and William shared a laugh during the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
Catherine and her husband William walked along the red carpet impeccably dressed on Wednesday
Catherine (pictured left) met a number of performers and representatives from the Royal Variety Charity
The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared in their element as they attended the event
Katherine Jenkins (pictured centre) performed at the Royal Variety Performance this evening
After the monarch died in September that year, well-wishers left Paddington toys and marmalade sandwiches as tributes outside royal residences such as Buckingham Palace.
The Prince and Princess were greeted on Wednesday by Colonel Jane Davis, Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London and the President and CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, James Max and James Ainscough, on the red carpet outside the famous venue.
Entering the main foyer, the royal couple were introduced to Giles Cooper OBE, chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, before meeting half a dozen executives from the charity and ITV, who produces the show.
Catherine, who had goose bumps on her bare arms following her entrance in the cold, said it was nice to be return to the Royal Variety Performance as she chatted to the line-up.
Backstage, Jessie J and Princess Kate shared a poignant moment, hugging as they spoke of their recent cancer scares as the songstress remarked to the royal: ‘I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.’
The Domino singer has been open about her recent experience of undergoing a mastectomy, while also praising the Duchess of Cambridge for sharing her own cancer journey with the public.
Princess Kate told the 37-year-old how her performance of her new song, I’ll Never Know Why, which she wrote for her late bodyguard, Dave, who died by suicide in 2021, was ‘moving’.
Jessie J responded: ‘It is such an important conversation. I just miss him and I want to help others.’ She also spoke of the importance of supporting men’s mental health and encouraging them to discuss their feelings.
The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Variety Performance
Catherine couldn’t help but smile as she attended the charity event this evening
Catherine sported a stunning pair of diamond Cartier earrings, which were once a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth
The Princess of Wales appeared to lovingly glance over to her dapper husband as they made their way onto the red carpet
The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared in joyful spirits as they applauded a performance at the Royal Albert Hall
The Princess of Wales was presented with flowers as she arrived for the Royal Variety Performance
The Princess’ dress was thought to be from German luxury fashion brand Talbot Runhof
Catherine donned a sparkling silver clutch bag, a diamond bracelet and her famous sapphire engagement ring, which formerly belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana
The Princess once again wore the Greville chandelier earrings, which she first publicly sported at the wedding of Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan, and Rajwa Al Saif in Jordan in 2023
The Princess looked the picture of elegance as she arrived for the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
The Prince of Wales looked dapper in black tie as he joined his wife at the occasion
Catherine opted for glamorous makeup for the occasion, wearing shimmery eyeshadow and pink lipstick
The Prince placed a gentle, guiding hand on his wife’s back as they entered the building
The Princess of Wales couldn’t contain her excited smile as she arrived at the occasion
The Prince and Princess of Wales (pictured centre) in the Royal Box during the Royal Variety Performance
William and Catherine appeared to be in great spirits as they arrived at the event this evening
The Princess stunned in a velvet evening gown, paired with matching heels and dazzling collection of jewellery
The Princess was gifted a bouquet of flowers after arriving at the Royal Albert Hall
Speaking afterwards, Jessie J explained that she had purposefully dressed in a black hoodie and sweatpants to represent someone who is feeling depressed at home.
‘They don’t want to get up in the morning, put on a fancy dress or wear make-up,’ she said. ‘They’re just wearing they’re comfies on the sofa.’
She also revealed the Duke of Cambridge had asked her if she would like to team up to encourage open conversations about mental health and to combat the stigma.
But Jessie’s performance wasn’t the only highlight of the night, with stellar performances from Les Misérables in celebration of the stage show’s 40th anniversary.
Meanwhile, the prince and princess giggled as comedian Mick Miller, 75, had the audience in stitches with a series of jokes before Britain’s Got Talent winner, magician Henry Moulding took to the stage.
The 24-year-old from Blackpool directly addressed William, saying: ‘Your Royal Highness, you may already know that your father is a member of the world famous magic circle.’
He said that the King recently marked 50 years since he performed the routine which gained him the membership, and to mark it, the monarch was happy to get involved with the trick.
The BGT winner went on to impress the crowd, revealing a series of words, numbers and times guessed by various crowd members inside yellow balloons.
The future King chats with Stephen Fry as well as songstress Jessie J, who performed at yesterday’s event
Princess Kate stuns in an elegant velvet gown as she meets Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Kian Egan
Comedian Jason Manford and the Prince of Wales at the Royal Variety Performance
Strictly Come Dancing pro Johannes Radebe and Prince William at the annual charity event
British journalist and newsreader Martin Buerk speaks with the Duke of Camrbidge
Graham McPherson, known by his stage name Suggs, at the Royal Variety Performance
Icelandic singer and songwriter Laufey talks with the Prince of Wales
Singer and presenter Michael Ball and Alain Boubil speak with the future King of Britain at the Royal Variety Performance
Former English bodybuilder Jamie Christian Johal and Prince William
Henry then picked up a pack of cards, telling the audience that the King had reversed one of the cards and placed it back inside the deck.
Back on stage, the magician took out the pack and asked Brian to name a card at random, and selected the ace of clubs.
‘Lets see if the King has read your mind,’ the young magician said before selecting the one card facing the wrong direction, which was the ace of clubs.
Giles Cooper, Royal Variety Chairman and Life-President, said of the King’s involvement in the show: ‘To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the King becoming a member of the prestigious ‘Magic Circle’, the Royal Variety Charity, of which His Majesty is sole Patron, approached Buckingham Palace to see if this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner Henry Moulding could film some of his performance at the Palace.
‘We understand that the King was pleased that the Palace could be used as part of the magic act.’
A powerful video made by the Royal Variety Charity was also played during the show, highlighting the mental health support provided to those in the entertainment industry.
Long unsociable hours and financial anxiety due to being self-employed have contributed to the industry having the fourth-highest suicide rate of any industry.
Catherine and William last attended the Royal Variety Performance in 2023 before stepping out at last night’s event
The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out on the red carpet before heading into the building
The Princess opted to style her hair into loose curls for the glittering event in London
Kate put her best fashion foot forward in an emerald velvet frock paired with diamond earrings
The Princess of Wales was seen wearing multiple rings, including her famous sapphire engagement ring which belonged to Princess Diana
The future Queen, 43, looked effortlessly elegant in the velvet dress this evening
The clip also gave the harrowing statistic that 87% of people in the industry have experienced poor mental health, such as depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
Money raised from the star-studded event goes to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues last year, a cause William and Catherine have long championed.
The charity also runs Brinsworth House, known as the Old Pro’s Paradise, for those who have worked in the entertainment industry.
The grand finale saw some 400 actors take to the stage to sing a medley of songs from hit musical Les Miserables to mark the 40th anniversary of the hit musical.
When comedian Matt Lucas took to the stage to perform Master of the House as the villainous character Monsieur Thenardier, he looked up at the royal box and said: ‘Oh no, I thought it was going to be the other guy, the one on the coins.’
The prince and princess laughed and looked to enjoy the impressive performance.
One Day More concluded the medley, which saw singers line the aisles and drummers perform in the wings.
As the chorus sang the final words, the French and union flags were waved from the dress circle and red white and blue confetti fell from the ceiling.
The Prince and Princess of Wales stand as they are welcomed to the royal box at the annual charity event
Katherine Jenkins performing at the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, London
The audience rose to their feet in applause, including the prince and princess, as the acts returned to the stage to ‘Santa Clause is Coming To Town’.
Their royal highnesses were then thanked for attending and given three rounds of Hip Hip Hooray before heading backstage to meet all the acts, including a special meet and greet with Paddington.
The Royal Variety Charity assists those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, and in 2024, it set up a dedicated team to assist those who are in need of help and support because of mental health issues, a cause close to William and Catherine’s hearts.
Senior members of the Royal Family take it in turns to attend the glittering event, with the King, patron of the charity, attending last year’s show.
Yesterday’s performance marked the sixth time William and Catherine have attended the show together, and the princess’s first since her cancer recovery.
The royal couple’s most recent appearance was in 2023 when they were joined by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.
The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December.
