London’s Royal Albert Hall shimmered with anticipation on November 19, 2025, as Catherine, Princess of Wales, made her much-awaited return to the Royal Variety Performance. After a two-year absence due to her battle with cancer, Kate’s presence at the annual charity event was both a symbol of resilience and a celebration of royal tradition. The Royal Variety Performance, a staple of British cultural life, brings together music, dance, and comedy to raise funds for the Royal Variety Charity, and is a highlight in the royal calendar. This year, the event took on added significance as it marked the Princess’s first live appearance at the show since her treatment.
The Princess of Wales, renowned for her poise and sartorial choices, turned heads in an emerald velvet gown by Talbot Runhof—a new addition to her wardrobe, as reported by HELLO!. The Munich-based label, typically outside Kate’s usual rotation of designers, received only a brief 30-minute notice before photos of the royal in their creation were released. The dress, now sold out, featured a figure-hugging silhouette and was styled by Kate with characteristic modesty, adjusting the off-the-shoulder cut to a more demure V-neck. The choice of emerald was a nod to her 2021 appearance at the same event, where she wore a sequin-embellished green gown by Jenny Packham.
Yet, it wasn’t just the gown that caught the public’s eye. Kate accessorized with a pair of opulent diamond chandelier earrings that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. According to Harper’s Bazaar, these Art Deco earrings, reportedly crafted in 1929 and incorporating modern diamond cuts such as half moon, trapeze, princess, baguette, baton, and emerald, were a wedding gift to the Queen from her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in 1947. Jewellery expert Maxwell Stone explained, “The late monarch regularly wore the jewels throughout her life—most recently during a visit to Toronto in July 2010—so it’s touching that Kate has brought them back into the spotlight.”
This isn’t the first time the Princess has chosen sentimental jewelry for public engagements. In 2023, she wore the same earrings to Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan’s wedding. More recently, at the Armistice Day Service of Remembrance on November 11, 2025, Kate pinned an Irish Guards Regimental Brooch to her coat, a subtle tribute to her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards. Just days earlier, she wore Collingwood pearl-and-diamond earrings that once belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, further underscoring her penchant for pieces rich in family history and meaning.
The evening at the Royal Albert Hall was also notable for another reason: it was only the sixth time the Prince and Princess of Wales have attended the Royal Variety Performance together. Traditionally, King Charles III and Queen Camilla are the royal representatives at the event, with the King serving as life-patron of the Royal Variety Charity. However, this year, William and Kate’s joint appearance was a poignant reminder of the evolving roles within the royal family.
In a candid moment captured and later shared with fans, a behind-the-scenes photo of the Prince and Princess from the evening delighted royal watchers. The image, which quickly spread across social media, showcased the couple’s easy camaraderie and Kate’s radiant return to the public eye. According to HELLO!, the Waleses’ coordinated style choices have become a source of inspiration for families looking to emulate royal elegance during the festive season.
The Royal Variety Performance was not the only occasion for royal appearances that week. Princess Anne attended the Annual Conference at the Royal Geographical Society in London on November 21, 2025, fulfilling her duties as President of World Horse Welfare. Meanwhile, Prince William is scheduled to attend the thirteenth annual Tusk Conservation Awards on November 26, 2025, celebrating leading African conservationists—a cause he has championed since launching the awards in 2013.
Elsewhere in Europe, Queen Mathilde of Belgium participated in Read Aloud Week at the Kubus youth library in Antwerp on November 21, 2025, reading to young people and greeting fans despite the chilly weather. That same day, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain presided over the imposition of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Tosion de Oro) at the Royal Palace in Madrid, honoring Queen Sofia for her dedication to Spain and the Crown. The ceremony brought together three generations of Spanish royals, highlighting the enduring significance of family and service.
Monaco, too, witnessed a royal milestone as Princess Charlene made a dazzling appearance at the Monaco National Day 2025 Gala Performance, donning a tiara in public for the first time since her 2011 wedding ball. Accompanied by Prince Albert, Charlene’s choice signaled a return to the grandeur of Monaco’s royal traditions, captivating onlookers and reaffirming her place in the principality’s public life.
Back in the UK, the royal family’s charitable endeavors have continued apace. Princess Kate contributed a recipe and a heartfelt message to the charity cookbook “Choirs For GOOD FOOD!” supporting Welsh children’s hospices including Hope House Tŷ Gobaith and Tŷ Hafan, the latter of which she is a patron. In a letter marking Children’s Hospice Week, Kate wrote, “As Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children’s hospices. Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond.”
The week also marked a poignant anniversary in royal history: thirty years since Princess Diana’s revelatory Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. The interview’s legacy is being revisited in the new book “Dianarama” by Andy Webb, who has spent over two decades investigating the story. The anniversary has prompted renewed discussion about the impact of Diana’s words—particularly her famous line, “There were three of us in this marriage”—and the enduring fascination with her life and legacy.
Royal news extended beyond Europe, with the Duke of Edinburgh embarking on a ten-day visit to Nigeria and Ghana from November 17 to November 26, 2025. The tour underscores the importance of UK-Commonwealth relations, youth empowerment, and the positive influence of sport, further cementing the royal family’s global reach.
Even in the world of horticulture, royal influence remains strong. It was announced that Sir David Beckham will support horticulturist Frances Tophill in designing a space for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, following in the footsteps of Princess Kate, who created the RHS Back to Nature garden in 2019. This collaboration reflects the royals’ ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and community engagement.
As the holiday season approaches, the royal family’s blend of tradition, service, and personal style continues to captivate audiences at home and abroad. From dazzling gala appearances and heartfelt charity work to historic anniversaries and global tours, the royals remain at the heart of public life—reminding us all of the enduring power of family, resilience, and a touch of sparkle.
