King Charles joins celebs at Royal Variety Performance without Camilla as Queen recovers from chest infection

KING Charles grinned while he mixed with A-list celebrities at Friday night’s Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Only hours after it was announced that Queen Camilla would not be able to attend, the 76-year-old queen showed up alone for the celebrity-filled celebration.

Earlier in the day, the Queen, who was just diagnosed with a chest illness and continues to experience “lingering post-viral symptoms,” abruptly dropped out.

In spite of her absence, Charles was spotted smiling and laughing with people like Elton John before settling in to watch the performance.

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr led the evening at the star-studded event, while Sophie Ellis-Bexter and comic Matt Forde energized the audience.

Charles was once observed giggling at Matt Forde’s Donald Trump impersonation.

He brought up Trump’s repeated baseless accusations that illegal immigrants from Haiti were “eating” dogs in Springfield, a tiny Ohio city.

The comic joked, “They’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs,” in the voice of the incoming president.

Then, speaking in Mr. Trump’s voice, he turned to face Charles from the platform and said, “Your Majesty King Charles, you’re named after a Spaniel – be very careful, they’ll eat you alive.”

To the joy of the spectators, the King, dressed in a sharp black tux, was spotted laughing away from the royal box.

A musical song from Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish’s new play, The Devil Wears Prada, which is based on the 2006 Oscar-nominated movie, was performed at the occasion.

When Sir Elton presented his adaptation for the West End, he said to the King, “I’m very happy to be here.”

Posing on the red carpet were cast members Vanessa Williams, who plays Miranda Priestly, and Matt Henry, who plays art director Nigel.

Along with Eurovision winner Nemo, British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor made her debut on the variety show with her popular song “Murder On The Dancefloor.”

American magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller, who performed in honor of their 50th anniversary, also posed on the carpet.

Scottish comedian Larry Dean, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, writer and comic Scott Bennett, and political comedian Matt Forde—who walked the red carpet using a crutch following surgery for spinal cancer—provided the humor.

TV host Lorraine Kelly, who appeared on this year’s show with her Change And Check Choir, lead by Wet Wet Wet vocalist Marti Pellow, was in the crowd.

Love Is All Around, which is being re-released to promote breast cancer early detection, was performed by the choir, which is composed of women from all across the United Kingdom who discovered they had breast cancer as a result of Kelly’s campaign.

The King stated in a statement from Buckingham Palace that he was “delighted” to take over his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II,’s role as patron of the Royal Variety Charity earlier this year.

Charles has never before been a patron of the event.

In the statement, he said: “The charity’s vital job in helping people who have become ill, been in an accident, or experienced difficult times is as important now as it has ever been.

“I would like to thank all of those who have worked so hard to stage this year’s production and wish everyone a very enjoyable evening.”

This comes after eight-year-old Iris King-Taylor brought a bouquet of flowers for Camilla to the Royal when he arrived at the function on Friday night.

The flowers came from the gardens of Brinsworth House, a Twickenham elderly home run by the Royal Variety charity.

After missing Remembrance activities earlier this month, Camilla’s illness has prevented her from attending this latest high-profile event.

Louie Cooper, ten, handed the King the show’s program before he ascended the auditorium’s steps to the royal box.

It comes hours after Camilla refused to leave the performance on Friday night, arguing that the “show must go on” despite medical advice that she should put her health first.

A representative for Buckingham Palace stated: “The Queen has a recent chest infection and is still experiencing some post-viral symptoms. As a result, physicians have recommended that Her Majesty prioritize getting enough sleep after a hectic week of engagements.

She has thus decided not to attend tonight’s Royal Variety Performance, which she regrets greatly. As scheduled, His Majesty will be present.

A royal insider stated that the queen was “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on'” .

“She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” said a source.

In December, STV, STV Player, ITV1, and ITVX will all broadcast the Royal Variety Performance.

The show’s proceeds will support those in the entertainment industry who require care and support; this year, the Royal Variety Charity is starting a program to support those who are struggling with mental health concerns.

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