The Prince Of Wales decided to put aside convention at the star-studded Royal Variety Performance on Monday, passing on a royal box seat in favour of a spot in the front row of the stalls at London's Hammersmith Apollo.
In line with tradition, Charles met the stars backstage after the cabaret-style show, which featured performances by Shania Twain, Will Young, Gareth Gates and Anastacia. And there, he took the time to share a joke with pop star Kylie Minogue, who has crossed his path twice in as many weeks. "He said, 'We must stop meeting like this,'" recalled Kylie. "It was exactly what I was going to say, but he beat me to it."
The Fever singer had previously chatted with the Prince after her recent one-off performance in The Play What I Wrote in the West End.
Pop Idol Will Young said he was thrilled to take part in the Variety Performance, which has been a royal tradition since 1912. "I had been psyching myself up all day," he said, adding: "You're always aware of the company you are keeping and you have to realise that you have to be that standard."
The entertainment extravaganza, which raised money for the Entertainment Artistes Benevolent Fund, also included veteran performers Bob Monkhouse and Elaine Stritch, and segments from hit stage productions Bombay Dreams and the Madness-inspired musical Our House. "I think (Prince Charles) genuinely enjoyed the show," Kylie opined after the curtain came down. "Who wouldn't?"
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
