Queen Camilla set for Royal Variety return after health concern

The event promises a spectacular evening of music, comedy and theatrical performances, featuring an array of internationally renowned artists and exclusive West End previews.

Organisers confirmed the lineup in a statement, expressing their delight that Their Majesties would be in attendance for what is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded editions of the annual charity gala in recent memory.

The occasion holds particular significance for Queen Camilla, as it will be her first time attending the Royal Variety Performance as Queen.

She had been expected to accompany the King at the 2024 edition but was forced to pull out at the last moment on medical advice, having suffered post-viral symptoms following a chest infection.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said at the time that the Queen had withdrawn “with great regret” and hoped to return to full health in due course.

A royal source indicated that Camilla, who had recently resumed official engagements after a tour of Australia and Samoa, was “naturally disappointed” to miss the evening but believed firmly that “the show must go on.”

King Charles attended the 2024 performance without her.

The musical programme features a formidable roster of talent. Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba, will fly in from the United States to mark the 20th anniversary of Wicked in the West End, performing “The Wizard & I” alongside the musical’s composer Stephen Schwartz.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will make an exclusive appearance celebrating three decades since his rise to international stardom.

Brit Award winner and Celebrity Traitors star James Blunt is also on the bill, as is Vanessa Williams, who will deliver her signature hit “Save the Best For Last.”

Jack Savoretti will make his Royal Variety debut, while the Hawkstone Farmer’s Choir, the first choir ever to win Britain’s Got Talent, will perform a special number.

A world-exclusive preview of the forthcoming West End adaptation of The Greatest Showman is also confirmed.

The cast of Billy Elliot will take to the stage to perform “Electricity,” ahead of the musical’s return to the West End and 21 years after it first opened.

A specially rewritten version of “For Now” and “It Sucks To Be Me” from Avenue Q will feature surprise celebrity cameos, while the current West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar will deliver an oversized medley led by Sam Ryder.

Comedy will come from surreal Mock The Week star Milton Jones, with further laughs provided by Wang Pix.

The Ramadhani Brothers and head balancer Veronika Ivanova, from the acrobatic circus production Cirque Alice, will make their European debuts on the night.

Alfie Boe and the cast of Mincemeat are also set to appear.