Prince and Princess of Wales meet Paddington Bear at Royal Variety Performance

Ian YoungsCulture reporter

Reuters The Prince of Wales, wearing a black tuxedo, shaking the hand of an actor in costume as Paddington Bear - Tom Fletcher from McFly can be seen in the background

The Prince and Princess of Wales shook hands with Paddington Bear and discussed marmalade sandwiches backstage at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.

Paddington, in the form of an actor in a costume from the beloved bear’s new West End musical, performed for the royal couple at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Wednesday.

Prince William said the performance was “fantastic”, before adding: “Your sandwich looks very nice.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, said their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were “very sad” to miss the event.

Paddington has a close connection with the Royal Family, after the character famously appeared in a sketch with the late Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Reuters The Prince and Princess of Wales posing either side of Paddington - Catherine has her hand on the back of the bear's head

This year’s charity performance was hosted by comedian Jason Manford and featured stars including Sir Stephen Fry, fresh from his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors, and singer Jessie J.

Getty Images A composite image of singer Jessie J on the red carpet at the Royal Variety Performance showing of her black outfit

Reuters Jessie J with her hands on the Princess of Wales's shoulders as they are in conversation, with Stephen Fry in the background slightly smiling

The pop star, who has had surgery for breast cancer, shared a hug with the princess, who was attending her first Royal Variety Performance since her recovery from cancer.

Getty Images Jessie J and the Princess of Wales hugging

“Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug,” Jessie J said afterwards.

“We acknowledged that it’s something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.”

Getty Images Princess Catherine of Wales smiles as she wears a green gown at the Royal Variety Performance

ITV/Shutterstock (left to right) Giles Cooper OBE, Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Catherine Princess of Wales and Phil Dale in the royal box at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Variety Performance 2025, in London on 19 November 2025.

Reuters Katherine Jenkins sings the national anthem on stage during the Royal Variety Performance

Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins kicked off the event by singing the national anthem.

Sir Stephen performed an excerpt from his current West End play, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and also discussed The Celebrity Traitors appearance with Prince William.

Getty Images Katherine Jenkins attends the Royal Variety Performance at Royal Albert Hall, weating a red, blue and yellow dress

PA Media Sir Stephen Fry in a dinner jacket with a colourful spotty bow tie and his hands in the air

Westlife were among the other performers, along with Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe, who gave a glimpse of his forthcoming role in stage musical Kinky Boots.