Stars turn out for Royal Variety Show
Prince Charles arrived last night to watch some of the biggest names in pop, stage and entertainment performing at the annual Royal Variety Performance.
The charity event at London’s Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith was featuring a glittering line-up of stars including chart divas Kylie Minogue and Shania Twain, and Pop Idols Will Young and Gareth Gates.
Tickets for the black tie event – in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund – cost £200 (€312) each and the occasion was sold out well in advance.
Charles was ushered into the Carling Apollo venue where he was met by representatives from the charity and the BBC, which will screen the event later this month.
Writing in the official programme for the show, Charles said: “The Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund makes grants to many individuals who are experiencing financial hardship.
“Much of the funding for this work is raised through the Royal Variety Performance and I am, therefore, incredibly grateful to the performers, production staff and, most importantly, the audience for being here this evening.”
Also due to take the stage were TV entertainer Bob Monkhouse, and veteran actress Elaine Stritch as well as Enrique Iglesias and other stars from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Bombay Dreams.
