Kate Middleton and Prince William hold hands as they enjoy date night at Royal Variety Performance – best photos

The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoyed a starry night out with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden as the foursome attended the Royal Variety Performance on Thursday evening.

It marked Prince William and Kate’s public outing since the release of Omid Scobie’s controversial royal book, Endgame, published on Tuesday.

But the couple were in high spirits, displaying a rare PDA and holding hands as they arrived at London’s Royal Albert Hall. 

Princess Kate, 41, appeared to pay tribute to the Swedish flag in a teal evening gown by Safiyaa with sweeping dramatic split sleeves. 

She accessorised with statement jewellery and wore her hair in a bouncy blowdry with her fringe framing her face.

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Victoria, 46, wowed in a black feathered off-the-shoulder gown by Swedish label Toteme. 

Wearing her brunette locks in her signature sleek bun, the Swedish royal accessorised her look with chunky gold jewellery.

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Both Prince William and Prince Daniel looked smart in tuxedos as the group sat in the royal box for the show.

Ahead of the show, the Prince and Princess and the Swedish royals met with performers as well as representatives from the Royal Variety Charity, which supports those working in the entertainment industry in need of care and assistance.

William and Kate chatted with one of the world’s oldest working supermodels, Daphne Selfe, with the Princess complimenting the 95-year-old on her silver dress with red feather cuffs. 

“Hello Daphne, I love your outfit. She looks fantastic,” she said. 

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When the Absolutely Fabulous actress remarked that the Princess was tall, Kate laughed: “I have high heels on, I’m cheating.”

Smiling, William added: “I don’t have high heels on, not yet.”

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The star-studded event hosted by The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh saw performances from US megastar Cher, a celebration of Disney’s 100 years and 2023 Britain’s Got Talent winner, the comedian Viggo Venn.

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Casts of The Lion King, Frozen, Aladdin, Hercules and Beauty & The Beast marked Disney’s centenary at the Royal Variety Performance.

Pop rock band McFly, singer Rick Astley, pop singer Zara Larsson and singer-songwriter Paloma Faith also took to the stage along with Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, who will be accompanied by the English National Opera (ENO) chorus.

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Also on the bill were singer and actress Beverley Knight alongside the cast of Sister Act, the Argentinian dancing troupe Malevo and a special performance from Derren Brown’s West End creation Unbelievable.

The show featured a tribute to theatre producer Bill Kenwright from Spice Girls singer Melanie Chisholm and pianist Lang Lang was joined by the teenage winner of Channel 4’s competition show The Piano, Lucy.

Listen to the latest episode of HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast, where we’re looking at the life-changing unions of those who have been married into one of the most famous institutions on the planet.