King Charles and Queen Camilla are preparing for a glamorous evening at the 97th Royal Variety Performance later this month, it has been confirmed.
The star-studded event will take place on Friday, 22 November, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, a venue that has hosted the prestigious show five times before.
As the new patron of the Royal Variety Charity, Charles has attended the performance as the Royal Guest of Honour sixteen times since his first appearance in 1968, with his most recent appearance in 2020, when he participated virtually. Queen Camilla has previously attended five performances between 2006 and 2016.
Giles Cooper OBE, Chairman of the Royal Variety Charity, expressed his excitement, saying: “We are thrilled that the Royal Variety Performance is returning to the Royal Albert Hall this year, following many successful events at this iconic venue.
“The presence of our new Patron, His Majesty The King, alongside Her Majesty The Queen, highlights the enduring relationship between the entertainment industry and the Royal Family, and we look forward to welcoming Their Majesties to the Royal Albert Hall.”
He added: “This important fundraising event is essential in enabling the Royal Variety Charity to continue its vital work. This year, we are proud to focus on providing mental health support to those in our industry, as challenges such as depression, anxiety, and addiction are all too common in entertainment.”
The Royal Variety Performance, the world’s longest-running entertainment show, raises funds for the Royal Variety Charity, which provides support to members of the entertainment sector through a nationwide grants scheme.
Before attending the Royal Variety Performance, King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 77, are expected to be at the global premiere of Gladiator II on 13 November at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square.
There, they will meet the film’s director, Sir Ridley Scott, as well as cast members including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Pedro Pascal.
The film’s synopsis states: “Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced into the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past for the strength and honor to restore Rome’s glory.”
