The event promised a night of glamour and entertainment...
...However, one would not have thought so a couple of hours before it began as scenes of panic covered the area when Oxford Circus (the tube station close to the Palladium) was locked down following an incident. Given the horrific terror attacks this year, it was incredibly worrying; it's such a busy area in the heart of London. The Police responded with immediacy and efficiency and thankfully have not found any trace of shots fired or casualties. Officers continue to investigate and remain at the scene as we speak. It was deemed safe to reopen the street and decided the Royal Variety Performance would go ahead.
More from the Met:
As they say, the show must go on and the performance began later than scheduled.
An arrival video.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for Royal Variety Performance. Nearly an hour delayed by Oxford St incident pic.twitter.com/mU0QOWafHA— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) November 24, 2017
The royal couple were greeted before they took their seats.
'Up to 2,000 members of the audience struggled to get to the theatre, with the show being unavoidably delayed as police secured the surrounding streets. An edited show went ahead with a few technical difficulties, with Hart admitting it had been left in "utter chaos" after the curtain failed to rise on the first performers: dancers from musical 42nd Street.'
It has long been tradition for members of the Royal family to make an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance - it dates back all the way to 1912 when the inaugural performance was watched by King George V and Queen Mary. In July 1919, a second royal show was performed. Held at London Coliseum, the show was staged as a 'celebration of peace' and, as the official announcement expressed it, "had been commanded by the King to show his appreciation of the generous manner in which artistes of the variety stage had helped the numerous funds connected with the War". Did you know the event once called for tiaras and jewels? Below, the late Queen Mother in her finery at the performance with the Beatles in 1963.
In recent times, the Queen has taken it in turns with the Prince of Wales to attend the show. In 2014, the baton was passed down to the younger generation with the Cambridges making their debut at the event followed by Prince Harry in 2015. The royal trio and Charles and Camilla are attending the event alternately.
The event is in aid of the Royal Variety Charity, formally, the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund, of which the Queen is patron. The money raised from the show helps hundreds of entertainers throughout the UK, who need aid and assistance as a result of old age, ill-health or hard times. More from Wikipedia: "The charity is believed to be one of the few charities in the UK that has an unbroken line of patronage from the reigning monarch since George V in the early twentieth century. Queen Elizabeth II is the current sole life-patron of the charity."
The evening was hosted by Miranda Hart and included performances by the Killers, Paloma Faith, Louis Tomlinson and the Script.
Host Miranda Hart enjoyed a spot of joshing with the royals. More from The Telegraph:
'Hart kicked off the show with a reference to the Royal guests, singing "there's no Duchess like show Duchess" during her rendition of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun classic. She later asked whether the Duke and Duchess, who are expecting their third child, were suffering "throne envy" after she sat on a grand gold and red seat on stage.
The Duchess of Cambridge was left in fits of the giggles on Friday night as her husband was forced to join in the Royal Variety Performance audience participation. The Duke had gamely taken part in a comedy skit from host Miranda Hart, obligingly shouting her catch-phrase "such fun" on request. Hart, who said compelling Prince William to participate was on her to-do list for the Royal Variety duties, said she later hoped to see his galloping - another one of her trademarks - and "knighting me with a lightsaber". While the Duke performed his part enthusiastically, the Duchess was left in fits of laughter as the spotlight fell on them.'
The couple were invited on stage to congratulate Miranda Hart and performers.
Late night for Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Royal Variety, invited on stage to congratulate host Miranda Hart and performers pic.twitter.com/lQFUrjYDor— Hannah Furness (@Hannah_Furness) November 24, 2017
Kate chatting with singer (best known as a member of One Direction) Louis Tomlinson. Dame Joan Collins is pictured in the background looking at the Duchess.
A closer look at the details.
It appears the gown is a bespoke version of this Autumn//Winter 2017 design (with thanks to the UFO No More).
Several of you noted the gown is similar to the blue Packham Kate wore in Paris...and Elsa from Frozen (One can almost hear Princess Charlotte saying "Mummy you look like Elsa" as they went through the door :)).
Kate sported her glittering Oscar de la Renta Platinum Lamé Cabrina pumps.
The shimmering $690 pumps are described as "Our enduringly classic Cabrina pumps are reworked for the new season in glistening platinum lamé. This Italian-made pair has a sleek, architectural silhouette with a pointed toe, scalloped sides and raised back.".
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| Oscar de la Renta |
Kate carried her Jenny Packham Casa clutch.
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| Jenny Packham |
Kate completed the look with the Queen's Diamond Chandelier earrings.
I thought it a very dazzling look - perfect for the Royal Variety. Royal attendance has been a cornerstone of the performance since its inception. Guests and viewers (it will be broadcast on ITV in December) always enjoy seeing royal guests in attendance and it's become a bit of a tradition for the host to indulge in a spot of friendly banter, as Miranda Hart did tonight. Kate looked every inch a princess, and as you can see in the photo below, her dress quite simply sparkled. It is notably similar to other Packham designs in Kate's closet, but for me it's a far superior gown to the one worn in Paris in March, which I also liked. The shade of icy blue works particularly well for the wintry event. A special mention for Kate's make up tonight, which was very much on point. What do you think of Kate's look tonight?
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We'll see the Duchess on Tuesday for her visit to the Foundling Museum. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.
