King Charles Attends Royal Variety Performance Solo for the First Time Since Becoming King

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles attends the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 22, 2024 in London, England.Photo:Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

King Charleshas arrived at the Royal Variety Performance — solo!

The King, 76, had been set to attend the annual celebration of performing talent with wifeQueen Camilla, but shepulled out a few hours earlieras she has a lingeringchest infection.

Earlier on Friday, Nov. 22, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla wasn’t going to join her husband at the event.

“With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance,” the statement continued.

King Charles attends the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall on Nov. 22, 2024 in London, England.Samir Hussein/WireImage

It is the first time since Charles took the throne in September 2022 that he has attended the Royal Variety Performance alone. The event, held at Royal Albert Hall, not only provides a festive pre-holidays evening out for the royals but promotes the performing arts sector in Britain and raises money for the Royal Variety Charity, which supports people who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry.

Charles is expected to meet some of the performers backstage after the show.

One of the key areas that the evening will help raise money for is the Royal Variety Charity’s work for those people who have suffered mental health challenges due to the haphazard nature of employment in the entertainment industry.

King Charles attended the show as royal guest of honor 16 times as Prince of Wales. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown performance, Charles sent a video message.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William at the Royal Variety Performance in November 2023.Getty Images

Getty Images

Last year,Prince WilliamandPrincess Kateattended the annual show andtook visiting royalsCrown Princess Victoriaof Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel with them. In November 2022, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh attended, andPrince HarryandMeghan Marklealso attended in 2018before they stepped back from royal duties.

source: people.com