The Princess of Wales shared a hug with Jessie J at Wednesday night’s Royal Variety Performance, which the singer said was prompted by their shared experience of cancer.
Jessie J performed I’ll Never Know Why, her new song inspired by losing a friend to suicide.
The Price Tag singer faced her own cancer surgery in June with a mastectomy for breast cancer.
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The 37-year-old, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, later revealed she was due to undergo a second operation and had to postpone her autumn tour.
Jessie J said: “Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug.
“We acknowledged that it’s something that is not easy to go through, especially in the public eye.”
William and Kate were entertained by a cast of famous faces at the Royal Albert Hall and enjoyed performances by Paddington The Musical’s West End cast and singer-songwriters Jessie J and Laufey.
After the performance, William and Kate met McFly singer Tom Fletcher, who wrote the music and lyrics for the new Paddington musical.
William told Fletcher he thought the performance of the new musical was “fantastic” before shaking hands with Paddington Bear.
Pointing to the marmalade sandwich in the bear’s paw, the prince said, “Your sandwich looks very nice.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales with the Paddington Bear from the London stage musical, at the Royal Variety Performance. Credit: PA
Earlier in the evening, Kate was presented with flowers by nine-year-old twins Emelia and Olivia Edwards, family of staff at Brinsworth House, a care home for entertainment industry workers supported by the Royal Variety Charity.
After asking if they were fans of Paddington, the princess told the girls her children were “very sad” not to attend the show and added she had to tell them children were not allowed to go.
“My kiddies were very sad, we’re going to have to keep it a big secret that I saw you guys,” she said.
“They were very sad not to be joining us.”
Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear during the Platinum Party at the Palace staged in front of Buckingham Palace in 2022. Credit: PA
The annual Royal Variety Performance was first staged in 1912 for King George V and Queen Mary in aid of the Royal Variety Charity.
The charity provides care and assistance to those working in the entertainment industry, including those suffering with physical or mental health issues.
The show will be screened on ITV in December.
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