King Charles has issued a heartfelt message ahead of the Royal Variety Performance, which takes place at The Royal Albert Hall in central London tonight and is due to be aired next month.
The event is held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity and the money raised will help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance.
Ahead of the glitzy event, a printed new message from King Charles will appear in all the guests’ brochures. It reads: “I am delighted to accept the position as Patron of the Royal Variety Charity earlier this year to follow in my mother’s footsteps.
“The charity’s crucial work in assisting those who have fallen ill, had an accident, or hit hard times, is as essential now as it ever has been. I am so pleased that the Queen and I are able to attend this evening’s Royal Variety Performance which has rightly become a British institution watched by millions of television viewers throughout the world.”
The message continues: “I would like to thank those who have worked so hard to stage this year’s production and wish everyone an enjoyable evening.”
The Royal Variety Charity states it was “honoured” to have the late Queen Elizabeth II as its longest-serving Patron for 70 years, between 1952 and 2022.
In 2024, King Charles accepted the Patronage of the Royal Variety Charity, continuing the tradition and demonstrating the Royal Family’s continued love and support for the entertainment industry.
Members of the Royal Family are set to attend the evening tonight as singer Cher headlines the show with a number from her new Christmas album.
A medley featuring performances from the casts of The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules and Beauty & The Beast will also take place.
Singers McFly, Ricky Astley, Zara Larsson and Paloma Faith will also be performing their music throughout the evening.
The Royal Variety Charity assists those who’ve worked professionally in the entertainment industry and are in need of help.
The charity strives to support all those, both young and old, who’ve worked on the stage, in the wings, in front of a camera, or behind it, as well as all those who have spent their lives working in the numerous support industries dedicated to entertainment.
The Royal Variety Charity also owns its own residential and nursing care home for elderly entertainers in Twickenham, and also offers a nationwide grant scheme to assist those living in their own homes wherever they reside in the UK.
This year’s event will air in December on a date yet to be confirmed by ITV bosses.