19 December 2023 , 10:40
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The Prince and Princess of Wales were treated to a string of sensational acts at the Royal Variety Performance.
But it seems one singer, in particular, captured the attention of Kate, judging by her incredible four-word reaction to her performance. Near the end of the show, Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham took to the Royal Albert Hall stage to sing the Christmas carol O Holy Night. She was accompanied by the English National Opera and the whole performance brought the house down as she was given rapturous applause following the song. Among those clapping loudly for Hannah was Kate, who was seen showing her appreciation for the star.
William and Kate meeting actress Hannah Waddingham at the Royal Variety Performance (PA)And the princess was seen turning to the person sitting to her left and telling them: "Amazing, that was fantastic." Kate's reaction came after she was also spotted in fits of giggles at host Bradley Walsh's awkward jokes at the start of the Royal Variety Performance.
The comic opened the annual event with a nod to the Princess of Wales and her husband Prince William. He left everyone laughing when he went on to have a cheeky poke that he's been shunned for a series of prestigious orders and medals and the exchange left the royal pair very amused.
Addressing William, Bradley said: "I've worked for your great nan, your nan, your granddad, your dad, and now I'm working for you, Sir and Madam. And I must say - ask me if I've got an MBE. Nah, ain't got one. Ask me if I've got an OBE - nah, ain't got one of them. Ask me if I've got a CBE? No!" He later barked: "If I don't get a knighthood after this there's no justice."
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William and Kate applaud the acts during the performance (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)As the laughter whirled around the Royal Albert Hall, he had a dig at the selection process. "They've probably run out because they give them all to people who row boats or people on telly who bake cake." Not done there, the host remind them he had entertained troops in the Falklands and was "happy to make it out alive" while pointing out others got commended for their "Victoria sponge cakes."
Bradley had greeted them both as 'royal highnesses' - but struggled to get his words out. 'It doesn't sound right, your royal highnessesses? There's too many "ssessess", innit? Your royal highness... your royal highnessesses?" he asked. "It should be like cactus, cactussess, cacti. Your royal highness, highnessess and highni. That's it. I've got it. Your royal highni."
Viewers were quick to note how much Kate loved the gags at the star-studded event, seen on screen failing to hold it in as the show got off to a fantastic start. But not everyone was impressed by the Chase star's pleading for recognition and one on twitter: "Normally love Bradley Walsh, but begging for gong is embarrassing."
The Royal Variety Performance is now in its 111th year - having first been performed way back in 1912, with King George V and Queen Mary attending. The 2023 performance was recorded on Thursday, November 30 at London's Royal Albert Hall but shown on TV on Sunday. Viewers saw spectacular performances including a medley of songs from Disney’s West End shows The Lion King, Hercules, Frozen, Aladdin and Beauty and The Beast, as well as music moments from Paloma Faith, Rick Astley and Zara Larsson.