The Prince and Princess of Wales meet Paddington at this year’s Royal Variety Performance

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales met a very special bear last night, Wednesday 19 November 2025, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The occasion was the 98th Royal Variety Performance, the annual fundraising event for the Royal Variety Charity.

Their Royal Highnesses met Paddington Bear for the first time, with Paddington and the cast of the major new West End show Paddington The Musical performing at the event.

The musical was introduced to the audience by its composer and lyricist, McFly’s Tom Fletcher, and with Paddington Bear himself making a stage appearance.

Paddington The Musical started performances on 1 November at the Savoy Theatre in London, and is currently booking to 25 October 2026.

The Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX in on Sunday 21 December 2025.

Two people and a puppet. Royal Variety Performance 2025 - The Prince and Princess of Wales with Paddington. Photo Jonathan Hordle for ITV — *Royal Variety Performance 2025 – The Prince and Princess of Wales with Paddington. Photo Jonathan Hordle for ITV*

More West End Shows

Hosted by Jason Manford, this year’s Royal Variety Performance featured a number of West End musicals performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Blockbuster West End show Les Misérables celebrated its 40th anniversary with a 400-strong finale led by Michael Ball; Strictly’s Johannes Radebe sang a number from Kinky Boots the Musical, ahead of him bringing the show back to the West End next year; and Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure introduced the cast of West End show Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical.

Other special guest appearances included Stephen Fry, who appeared as Lady Bracknell direct from his acclaimed performance in The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noël Coward Theatre in London.

Laufey, Westlife, Jessie J & more

Music and entertainment acts included Westlife, Jessie J, Madness, Laufey, Harry Moulding, Tom Davis, Mick Miller, the cast of Dead Ringers, and America’s Got Talent winners Adrian Stoica and his dog Hurricane.

The Royal Variety Charity supports members of the entertainment industry with a nationwide grants scheme, supporting those who’ve worked or are still working professionally in the entertainment industry, but who are in need of financial assistance and other support.

The very first Royal Variety Performance was held in 1912 at the Palace Theatre, London, attended by Their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary.

The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Royal Variety Performance

This was the sixth time that Their Royal Highnesses have supported the Royal Variety Charity by attending this annual fundraiser.

At the event, the Prince and Princess of Wales met a number of performers backstage following the show, as well as representatives from the Royal Variety Charity.