The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed a rare date night this week. On Wednesday evening, they stepped out for the Royal Variety Performance, swapping school runs and royal duties for a star-studded night at the theatre.
During the show, William and Kate were photographed watching a performance from Paddington: The Musical, the stage adaptation of the beloved bear who famously shared that marmalade sandwich moment with the late Queen Elizabeth II.
From their private box, the couple were spotted in a candid moment — a brief, natural glimpse of them simply soaking in the atmosphere. Sharing a photo from the evening on their official Instagram account, they wrote: “From Paddington The Musical to a 40th anniversary celebration of Les Misérables — a brilliant evening showcasing the best of theatre, comedy and music.”
“All while supporting the Royal Variety Charity, which provides nationwide assistance to industry professionals of all ages — offering essential mental health support, residential care, and financial help to those going through difficult times.”
For the glamorous evening, Kate stunned in a breathtaking floor-length green velvet gown by Talbot Runhof. The figure-skimming design felt modern yet timeless in its silhouette.
The mother of three completed her look with matching, shoulder-skimming earrings that sparkled as she moved, while her signature glossy hair was worn loose in soft, cascading waves.
HELLO!’s Fashion and Beauty News Editor, Laura Sutcliffe, shared her excitement over Kate’s show-stopping appearance.
“I was working on the evening of the Royal Variety Performance and I was so excited to see what Kate would wear,” she said.
“The Princess has stepped out in a lot of suits in 2025, so I was eager to see if she would rock a formal number at the Royal Albert Hall. And she did!”
“I adored the Talbot Runhof dress on her; she hasn’t worn this German designer before. It was definitely a different look for Kate – not only was it pretty body-conscious in cut, but it had an off-the-shoulder neckline, which is a subtly ‘sexy’ look. The glamorous jewel green tone was a nod to the festive season, and it really suited her English rose complexion, too.”
The televised show raises funds for the Royal Variety Charity, which supports people from the British entertainment industry who are facing illness, old age or financial difficulty.
This appearance marks William and Kate’s sixth time attending the annual event — and the first since the Princess’s recovery from cancer.
Jessie J performed her new song I’ll Never Know Why, after undergoing her own cancer surgery in June, which involved a mastectomy for breast cancer. The 37-year-old later shared that she was due for a second operation and was forced to postpone her autumn tour.
Hosted by comedian Jason Manford, the evening also featured Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe performing an excerpt from the musical Kinky Boots. Singer-songwriters Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure introduced a special one-off performance from the Live Aid musical Just For One Day.
The grand finale brought together 400 performers — including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas and Katy Secombe — for a medley celebrating the 40th anniversary of the award-winning musical Les Misérables.
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