The Royal Variety Performance viewers were left unimpressed after pointing out that King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla were absent from the ITV charity event hosted by Bradley Walsh. Instead, The Prince and Princess of Wales sat in the royal box to watch a night of star-studded performances.
Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share their frustrations, while many made a joke about the royals not being there. @VivereB asked: “And King Charles didn’t turn up … why? I’m not taking the ‘head of family hasn’t attended since 2012’, that was due to the Queen’s being 86 ….. he obviously just doesn’t want to attend….. at 75….” (sic)
@philrandell51 #royalvarietyperformance echoed: “Where’s the king isn’t that the idea of it?” as @hereford1terra joked: “Home having his Horlicks.”
@LadyRussellini commented: “No wonder King Charles sent William and Catherine…thought it might be slightly more entertaining with Bradley Walsh but no… what a pile of s*** #RoyalVarietyPerformance.” (sic)
@Katie_Murphy776 added: “Next year, just invite Prince Louis and watch the rating go up #RoyalVarietyPerformance.”
“#RoyalVarietyPerformance wonder why King Charles gave this a swerve?” @bladeb2k quizzed.
@nutbourne18 jested: “Camilla’s watching from her holiday home in the Caribbean #RoyalVarietyPerformance #RoyalVariety.”
@phillamorgan went on: “I can see why King Charles stayed at home and set Will and Kate to watch this #RoyalVarietyPerformance.”
The Royal Variety Performance is a pre-recorded event and at the time it was recorded, it was confirmed King Charles and Queen Camilla would not be there.
King Charles was absent from the event, which took place on November 30, because he was in Dubai for COP28.
Traditionally, the reigning monarch attends the Royal Variety Performance, though King Charles has not been present since ascending the throne in 2022.
The King hasn’t attended the event since 2016, though he did deliver a video message during 2020’s show.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were instead joined by Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and her husband Prince Daniel.
The royals were treated to performances by Cher, Paloma Faith and Hannah Waddington.
The West End casts of Sister Act, Beauty and the Beast and Lion King also graced the stage to perform.
Last year, Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, appeared at the performance on behalf of the Royal Family, and were treated to performances from British singers Ellie Goulding and Becky Hill.
The Royal Variety Performance is available to watch on the ITV Hub.