William and Catherine Meet Paddington in Surprise Backstage Encounter at Royal Variety Show

William and Catherine met Paddington backstage at the 2025 Royal Variety Performance on Wednesday at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the iconic character and spoke playfully about marmalade sandwiches following his stage appearance. The visit marked Catherine’s first appearance at the event since her recovery from cancer. The annual show featured performances from leading entertainers including Jessie J, Sir Stephen Fry, and Westlife. Their meeting with Paddington added a lighthearted highlight to a night centered around charity and celebration.

Event Highlights and Key Interactions

William and Catherine attended the Royal Variety Performance as part of their long-standing support for the Royal Variety Charity. Paddington, represented by a performer from the new West End musical, greeted the royal couple after his onstage number. William praised the performance, calling it “fantastic,” while joking about Paddington’s trademark sandwich. Catherine mentioned that their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—were “very sad” to miss the show.

This year’s broadcast featured a wide range of acts, including comedian Jason Manford as host, Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins performing the national anthem, and Sir Stephen Fry delivering an excerpt from The Importance of Being Earnest. Jessie J, attending after her own cancer recovery journey, shared an emotional embrace with Catherine.

Quotes and Reactions

Jessie J spoke candidly about her moment with Catherine, explaining, “Mum to mum, who has just recently gone through cancer, I just wanted to give her a hug.” She added that they recognized the difficulty of facing health challenges while under public scrutiny.

Prince William also discussed Sir Stephen Fry’s appearance on The Celebrity Traitors, sharing a brief conversation between performances. Throughout the evening, the royal couple engaged warmly with performers and attendees, reflecting a relaxed and supportive presence.

Impact Analysis

The appearance of William and Catherine brought additional visibility to the Royal Variety Performance, an event that relies heavily on public engagement and broadcasting success to support charitable initiatives. Catherine’s presence, in particular, carried symbolic weight as her first appearance at the charity gala following her cancer recovery, reinforcing the Royal Family’s commitment to public service.

Paddington’s role and nostalgic connection to the late Queen Elizabeth II—who famously participated in a Jubilee sketch with the bear in 2022—added emotional resonance to the event. The royal couple’s moment with the character sparked widespread media interest, boosting the broadcast’s profile ahead of its ITV airing in December.

What’s Next

The Royal Variety Performance will be televised nationwide in December on ITV. William and Catherine are expected to resume additional public engagements through the remainder of 2025 as part of their ongoing royal duties. The new Paddington musical, featured prominently during the event, will continue its West End run with strong anticipation following its royal endorsement.