Another event, another amazing ensemble! Black seems to be the go-to color for many royals attending the Royal Variety Performance. The Duchess of Sussex once opted for a black and white sequin halter top and a long black skirt. Although Meghan Markle wasn't present at this night event, Kate's dress was enough excitement for us. Doesn't she look amazing?
The Princess of Wales looked sensational on the glittering evening as she arrived at the Royal Variety Performance, accompanied by her husband, Prince William. The princess dazzled in the most beautiful black lace gown by her go-to designer, Alexander McQueen. We weren't sure any dress could top her Jenny Packham princess gown from a previous show, but this statement dress is simply stunning. Embellished with intricate detail and flowing to the ground, the cut of the gown suited Kate's figure perfectly.
As usual, the princess's accessory game was on point. She paired her gorgeous gown with pumps, a black clutch, and drop earrings. The mom of three's beauty look was perfection. Kate wore her long brunette locks down, styled in her iconic Chelsea blow dry, and opted for smokey eye makeup, a sweep of blusher on her cheeks, and a lovely nude lip shade.
The couple were all smiles as they entered London's Palladium Theatre together before taking their seats in the Royal Box. The annual event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity. The evening was hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan and included performances from the cast of Mary Poppins, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel, and a special collaboration by Emeli Sandé and Manchester's B Vocal Choir.
The royal couple have attended the show twice previously. Kate's Jenny Packham gown from 2017 was sublime: long-sleeved with a sweetheart neckline and a sheer layer on top, the dress featured stunning embellishments, sequins, and flowers all over. Kate accessorized the jewel-encrusted dress with equally eye-catching heels by Oscar de la Renta and a glittery Jenny Packham box clutch.
The first time Kate attended the Royal Variety Performance was in 2014, when she wore a black lace Diane von Furstenberg gown. Accompanied by Prince William, the event held at the London Palladium is generally one the Queen attends. Kate and William's presence is seen as a sign of their taking on a greater share of royal responsibilities.
As far as their royal appearances go, this one seemed to have been a fun event. In addition to the One Direction boys, Bette Midler, Ed Sheeran, and Simply Red were also on the roster to perform. A day after she conquered a mental agility test with ease, the Princess of Wales managed to complete another challenging task: meeting the members of One Direction without getting harassed by hordes of teenage girls, at least not publicly.
Harry Styles, dressed in a leopard print jacket, shook Kate's hand and later told reporters about meeting the approximately 16 weeks pregnant princess: "I said congratulations on the bump," adding that she "didn't look bumpy." Meanwhile, Liam Payne said afterwards that meeting the royal couple was "the most nervous I think I've ever been in my life," and bandmate Louis Tomlinson regretted not calling Kate "ma'am," recounting, "I said Hi, how are you? I'm Louis."
The origins of the Royal Variety Performance date back to 1912 when His Majesty King George V and Her Majesty Queen Mary agreed to attend a Royal Command Performance at the Palace Theatre in London's Cambridge Circus in aid of the VABF (Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund), the previous name of the Royal Variety Charity, and its proposed plans to build an extension to its care home for elderly entertainers, Brinsworth House. This first staging was a lavish occasion with over 3 million roses draped around the auditorium.
