# Royal Variety Performance

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Variety show in the United Kingdom

For a general description of performances for the monarch, see [Royal Command Performance](/source/Royal_Command_Performance).

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Royal Variety Performance Little Mix Performing at The Royal Variety Performance in 2015 Also known as Royal Command Performance Genre Variety show Country of origin United Kingdom Original language English No. of episodes 91 (list of episodes) Original release Network ITV[a] (1960–present) BBC One[b] (1962–2010) Release 1912 (1912), 1919 (1919), 1921 (1921)–1923 (1923), 1925 (1925)–1928 (1928), 1930 (1930)–1938 (1938), 1945 (1945)–1955 (1955), 1957 (1957)–present Related Tonight at the London Palladium

The ***Royal Variety Performance*** is a televised [variety show](/source/Variety_show) held annually in the United Kingdom to raise money for the [Royal Variety Charity](/source/Royal_Variety_Charity) (of which [King Charles III](/source/King_Charles_III) is life-patron).[1] It is attended by senior members of the [British royal family](/source/British_royal_family).[2] The evening's performance is presented as a live [variety show](/source/Variety_show), usually from a theatre in London and consists of family entertainment that includes [comedy](/source/Comedy), [music](/source/Music), [dance](/source/Dance), [magic](/source/Magic_(illusion)) and other speciality acts.

The *Royal Variety Performance* traditionally begins with the entrance of the members of the royal family followed by the singing of the national anthem, "[God Save the King](/source/God_Save_the_King)", which was also performed by the participating acts as a traditional end to Royal Variety Performances; with the exception of 2020 due to the [coronavirus pandemic](/source/Coronavirus_pandemic), as a result of which, "[As If We Never Said Goodbye](/source/As_If_We_Never_Said_Goodbye)" opened that year's show instead, sung by that year's host, [Jason Manford](/source/Jason_Manford). After each performance, the performer bows twice, one to the audience and then to the Royal Family.

## Background and founding

The first performance, on 1 July 1912, was called the **[Royal Command Performance](/source/Royal_Command_Performance)**, and this name has persisted informally for the event. This was held in the [Palace Theatre](/source/Palace_Theatre%2C_London), [Shaftesbury Avenue](/source/Shaftesbury_Avenue), London, in the presence of [King George V](/source/King_George_V) and [Queen Mary](/source/Mary_of_Teck). After correspondence with theatre impresario Sir [Edward Moss](/source/Edward_Moss_(impresario)), the King said he would command a Royal Variety show in his [coronation year](/source/Coronation_of_George_V_and_Mary), 1911, provided the profits went to the Variety Artistes' Benevolent Fund, as the Royal Variety Charity was then known. It was planned to be in the [Empire Theatre](/source/Empire_Theatre_(Edinburgh)), [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh), part of the vast [Moss Empires](/source/Moss_Empires) group, but the building caught on fire a month before the show. After the death of Moss, Sir [Alfred Butt](/source/Alfred_Butt) was chosen as the impresario and it was staged in 1912.[3] This was a lavish occasion, and his London [Palace Theatre](/source/Palace_Theatre%2C_London) was lavishly decorated, complete with some three million rose petals.

### Artists, performers and broadcasts

Top performers included [Vesta Tilley](/source/Vesta_Tilley), [Sir George Robey](/source/George_Robey), [David Devant](/source/David_Devant), [Anna Pavlova](/source/Anna_Pavlova), [Harry Lauder](/source/Harry_Lauder) and [Cecilia Loftus](/source/Cecilia_Loftus). The organisers did not invite [Marie Lloyd](/source/Marie_Lloyd), because of a professional dispute. Her act was deemed too risqué and her three public, unsuccessful marriages were thought to make her unfit to perform in front of royalty.[4] She held a rival performance in a nearby theatre, which she advertised was "by command of the British public". The name of the event was changed to prevent possible royal embarrassment. The Royal Variety Performance became an annual event at the suggestion of King George V from 1921 and from 1927 the [British Broadcasting Corporation](/source/British_Broadcasting_Corporation) began to broadcast it on radio.

From 1928 to 1938, the impresario-producer and manager of the [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium), [George Black](/source/George_Black_(producer)), took over the presentation of the Royal Variety Performance. He would also facilitate as compere at the shows. His first production was held on 1 March 1928 at the [London Coliseum](/source/London_Coliseum) and from 1930 to 1937 he held the shows at the [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium). His 1938 show returned to the [London Coliseum](/source/London_Coliseum). Throughout World War II from 1939 to 1944 no shows were presented. The show resumed in 1945 after the war ended.

From 1960 to 2010, the BBC and [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) broadcast a recorded version of the show, alternating the production between their two main channels, with the BBC producing and televising the 'even years' and ITV televising the 'odd years'. In both 1976 and 1978, the BBC broadcast the show live. The show was staged mainly in a [West End theatre](/source/West_End_theatre). Prior to 1999, only two shows were staged outside London (1955 in Blackpool and 1959 in Manchester), but in 2003, 2005, 2007 & 2009, Royal Varieties were aired on ITV from regional theatres outside London. ITV secured exclusive rights to televise the show in 2011.[5] The show has been frequently staged in the [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium) theatre, and in the 1950s and 1960s a television show based on the same idea, called *[Sunday Night at the London Palladium](/source/Sunday_Night_at_the_London_Palladium)* and hosted by many entertainers, including [Bruce Forsyth](/source/Bruce_Forsyth), ran for over 20 years.

A wide range of acts has performed at the Royal Variety Performance, including [Laurel and Hardy](/source/Laurel_and_Hardy) in 1947, [The Beatles](/source/The_Beatles) in 1963, [the Supremes](/source/The_Supremes) in 1968 and [the Blue Man Group](/source/The_Blue_Man_Group) in 2005. [Max Bygraves](/source/Max_Bygraves) and [Cliff Richard](/source/Cliff_Richard) are two of the most frequent performers, having appeared at least [14 and 13 times each respectively between 1950 and 2008](/source/List_of_Royal_Variety_Performances). The Beatles appeared at the 1963 show, when [John Lennon](/source/John_Lennon) delivered the famous line:

For our last number I'd like to ask your help: Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewellery.

The money raised by the Royal Variety Performance provides most of the funding for the [Royal Variety Charity](/source/Royal_Variety_Charity) (formerly the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund) and its care-home for retired members of the entertainment profession and their dependents, [Brinsworth House](/source/Brinsworth_House).[6][7]

In 1974, [Noele Gordon](/source/Noele_Gordon) presented the Royal Variety Performance making her the first female presenter of the show.[8]

## Performances

Main articles: [List of Royal Variety Performances](/source/List_of_Royal_Variety_Performances) and [List of acts that have appeared on the Royal Variety Performance](/source/List_of_acts_that_have_appeared_on_the_Royal_Variety_Performance)

After the first Royal Variety Performance on 1 July 1912 presented by [Sir Alfred Butt](/source/Sir_Alfred_Butt), it was seven years before the next show, on 28 July 1919 held at the [Coliseum Theatre](/source/Coliseum_Theatre) presented this time by Sir [Oswald Stoll](/source/Oswald_Stoll). The orchestra was conducted by [Edward Elgar](/source/Edward_Elgar). In 1921 it moved to the [Hippodrome](/source/Hippodrome%2C_London), and was held in November. It was the first time that the Royal Variety Performance became an annual event. In 1923 it moved to the [Coliseum Theatre](/source/Coliseum_Theatre). Then after a gap in 1924, moved to the [Alhambra Theatre](/source/Alhambra_Theatre) in February 1925, where it remained in 1926, held on 27 May. It was the first Royal Variety Performance to be broadcast, with the BBC providing live radio coverage.

In 1927 there was another move, this time to the [Victoria Palace Theatre](/source/Victoria_Palace_Theatre), with J. A. Webb the compère. The 1928 show, on 13 December, was held at the [Coliseum Theatre](/source/Coliseum_Theatre). The next show, on 22 May 1930, moved to the [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium) with [George Black](/source/George_Black_(producer)) and [Val Parnell](/source/Val_Parnell) compèring. It was the start of seven successive years at the venue.

In 1935 the Royal Variety Performance was held in the [Silver Jubilee year](/source/Silver_Jubilee_of_George_V) of [King George V](/source/King_George_V) and [Queen Mary](/source/Mary_of_Teck). This was the last time King George V attended – he died three months later, in January 1936.

There have been two Royal Scottish Variety Performances, both attended by [Queen Elizabeth II](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II), and presented by [Howard & Wyndham](/source/Howard_%26_Wyndham) Ltd in Glasgow's [Alhambra Theatre](/source/Alhambra_Theatre_Glasgow), which Sir Alfred Butt had opened, in 1958 and 1963.[3]

The Children's Royal Variety Performance was devised by entertainer [Rod Hull](/source/Rod_Hull) in 1981[9] and took place in London until 1994 in aid of [NSPCC](/source/NSPCC), all attended by [Princess Margaret](/source/Princess_Margaret%2C_Countess_of_Snowdon) who was president of the NSPCC. The first year's performers included the "[Tiswas](/source/Tiswas)" team of [Lenny Henry](/source/Lenny_Henry), [Chris Tarrant](/source/Chris_Tarrant) and [Sally James](/source/Sally_James_(presenter)), pop band [Adam and the Ants](/source/Adam_and_the_Ants), former [Blue Peter](/source/Blue_Peter) presenters [Lesley Judd](/source/Lesley_Judd), [John Noakes](/source/John_Noakes) and [Peter Purves](/source/Peter_Purves) (who performed a number from *The Wizard of Oz* together*),* magician [Paul Daniels](/source/Paul_Daniels) as well as Rod Hull himself.[10]

In 1990, *A Royal Birthday Gala* to celebrate the 90th birthday of [Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_the_Queen_Mother), was staged at the London Palladium on 19 July, replacing the traditional November/December Royal Variety Show that year. In place of the traditional show, a special programme called *Thirty Years of the Royal Variety Performance* aired on BBC One on 29 December 1990. It was hosted by [Bruce Forsyth](/source/Bruce_Forsyth) and took a look back at the BBC's television broadcasts of the programme over 30 years, with clips from the archives.[11] After this variation, from 1991, the traditional variety, show returned.

In 2018 the show was hosted by comedian [Greg Davies](/source/Greg_Davies) and performed six months after the marriage of [Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex](/source/Prince_Harry%2C_Duke_of_Sussex) who attended it with his new wife.[12] This year's aftershow party and banquet was held with entertainment from magicians, such as [Jay & Joss](/source/Jay_%26_Joss) and popular band, The Masqueraders.[13]

However in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, a virtual version was held, opening with a virtual message from the then [Prince of Wales](/source/Charles_III) followed by "As If We Never Said Goodbye" sung by that year's host [Jason Manford](/source/Jason_Manford).

The Royal Variety performance of 2023, held in the [Royal Albert Hall](/source/Royal_Albert_Hall), was hosted by [Bradley Walsh](/source/Bradley_Walsh). The headline act was performed by [Cher](/source/Cher).

## *Britain's Got Talent*

Main article: [Britain's Got Talent](/source/Britain's_Got_Talent)

Since 2007, one act of the Royal Variety show has been selected by the British public through the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) television [talent show](/source/Talent_show) *[Britain's Got Talent](/source/Britain's_Got_Talent)*. A public [telephone vote](/source/Televoting) decides the most popular act in each semi-final, which then progresses to the final, along with a second act chosen by the judges. The grand final is then broadcast live and all the acts perform again for the public vote.

### Winners

- 2007: [Paul Potts](/source/Paul_Potts) – [pop opera](/source/Operatic_pop) [tenor](/source/Tenor)

- 2008: [George Sampson](/source/George_Sampson) – [street dancer](/source/Street_dance)

- 2009: [Diversity](/source/Diversity_(dance_troupe)) – street dance group

- 2010: [Spelbound](/source/Spelbound) – [gymnastics](/source/Gymnastics) squad

- 2011: [Jai McDowall](/source/Jai_McDowall) – singer

- 2012: [Ashleigh and Pudsey](/source/Ashleigh_and_Pudsey) – [musical canine freestyle](/source/Musical_canine_freestyle)

- 2013: [Attraction](/source/Attraction_(shadow_theatre_group)) – [shadow theatre](/source/Shadow_theatre) group

- 2014: [Collabro](/source/Collabro) – singing group

- 2015: [Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse](/source/Jules_O'Dwyer_%26_Matisse) – [musical canine freestyle](/source/Musical_canine_freestyle)

- 2016: [Richard Jones](/source/Richard_Jones_(magician)) – [magician](/source/Magic_(illusion))

- 2017: [Tokio Myers](/source/Tokio_Myers) – [pianist](/source/Pianist)

- 2018: [Lee Ridley (Lost Voice Guy)](/source/Lost_Voice_Guy) – [comedian](/source/Comedian)

- 2019: [Colin Thackery](/source/Colin_Thackery) – singer

- 2020: [Jon Courtenay](/source/Jon_Courtenay) – comical singer and pianist

- 2022: [Axel Blake](/source/Axel_Blake) – comedian

- 2023: [Viggo Venn](/source/Viggo_Venn) – comedian

- 2024: [Sydnie Christmas](/source/Sydnie_Christmas) – singer

- 2025: [Harry Moulding](/source/Harry_Moulding) – Magician

- 2026: The Hawkstone Farmers Choir - Choir

## Venues

The [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium), where the performance has most often been held.

There have been a total of 17 theatres that have staged the 93 *Royal Variety Performances*, and the *1912 Royal Command Performance*. Out of the total of 93 shows, 75 have been in London theatres and seven in other cities and towns.

*Note: Where no town or city is noted in the theatre column in the following table, the venue is situated in London.*

Theatre No. Years London Palladium 43 1930–1937, 1946–1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1957, 1962, 1964–1978, 1980, 1987–1990, 2008, 2010, 2013–2014, 2017–2019 London Coliseum 10 1919, 1923, 1928, 1938, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1958, 2004, 2006 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 7 1979, 1981–1983, 1985–1986, 1991 Dominion Theatre 7 1992–1996, 2000–2001 Victoria Palace Theatre 6 1927, 1951, 1955, 1960, 1984, 1997 Royal Albert Hall 7 2012, 2015, 2021–2025 Opera House Theatre, Blackpool 3 1955, 2009, 2020 Hippodrome, London 2 1921–1922 Alhambra Theatre 2 1925–1926 Prince of Wales Theatre 2 1961, 1963 Hammersmith Apollo 2 2002, 2016 Palace Theatre, London 1 1912 Palace Theatre, Manchester 1 1959 Lyceum Theatre 1 1998 Birmingham Hippodrome 1 1999 Edinburgh Festival Theatre 1 2003 Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 1 2005 Liverpool Empire Theatre 1 2007 The Lowry, Salford Quays, Salford 1 2011

## Royal Family attendance

A total of 17 members of the royal family have attended the 86 *Royal Variety Performances*, and the *1912 Royal Command Performance*.

Name No. Years Queen Elizabeth II[c] 39 1945–47, 1949, 1952–58, 1960, 1962, 1964–65, 1967, 1969–71, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989–90, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012 Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother[d] 26 1937–38, 1945–51, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990–91 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 26 1947, 1953–55, 1957–58, 1960, 1962, 1965, 1967, 1969–70, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1989–90, 1993, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012 King Charles III[e] 17 1968, 1977, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020,[f] 2024[g] King George V 15 1912, 1919, 1921–23, 1925–28, 1930–35 Queen Mary 15 1912, 1919, 1921–23, 1925–28, 1930–35 King George VI 8 1937–38, 1945–50 Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon 7 1949, 1951, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1988, 1990 William, Prince of Wales 6 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025 Catherine, Princess of Wales 6 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025 Queen Camilla[h] 5 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016 Anne, Princess Royal 3 1968, 1972, 2011 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex 2 2015, 2018 Diana, Princess of Wales 2 1984, 1992 Antony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon 2 1966, 1968 Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones 1 1984 Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh 1 2022[15] Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh 1 2022[15] Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 1 2018 Sarah Ferguson[i] 1 1986 Queen Maud of Norway 1 1922 Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden 1 2023[16] Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland 1 2023[16]

## Television coverage

The performance is broadcast on television throughout the world and is considered by many to be a tradition of the [Christmas and New Year holiday season](/source/Christmas_and_holiday_season), particularly within the 56 countries of the [Commonwealth of Nations](/source/Commonwealth_of_Nations). For example, in Norway the programme is broadcast on NRK following the chimes of midnight each [New Year's Eve](/source/New_Year's_Eve) with Norwegian subtitles and in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean Islands and the Bahamas it is broadcast during the afternoon of Christmas Day, every year. In Canada, it has aired on [CBC](/source/CBC_Television) variously on [Boxing Day](/source/Boxing_Day), [New Year's Eve](/source/New_Year's_Eve) or [New Year's Day](/source/New_Year's_Day).[17][18]

[ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) is contracted by the [Royal Variety Charity](/source/Royal_Variety_Charity) for TV production and in the UK is the sole broadcaster, having shared that responsibility with the [BBC](/source/BBC) between 1960 and 2010.[5]

### Ratings

In the 1960s, the televised edition of the show was the number one rated show for the entire year in the UK in 1960–1963, 1965, and 1967–1968, with the show ranked 6th in 1964, 3rd in 1966, and 2nd in 1969.[19]

In the 1970s, the show topped the annual rankings in 1975 and ranked 8th in 1970, 4th in 1971, 9th in 1976 and 3rd in 1977.[20]

Ratings sourced from [BARB](/source/BARB).

Airdate Viewers (millions) Broadcaster Overnight share 20 December 1998 11.24 BBC One —N/a 4 December 1999 10.60 ITV 41.0%[21] 17 December 2000 7.92 BBC One —N/a 28 November 2001 11.55 ITV 47.0%[22] 15 December 2002 8.19 BBC One 30.9%[23] 26 November 2003 8.56 ITV 36.8%[24] 15 December 2004 6.60 BBC One 31.0%[24] 11 December 2005 9.82 ITV 36.8%[25] 12 December 2006 7.98 BBC One 33.7%[25] 9 December 2007 7.78 ITV 27.2%[25] 17 December 2008 7.75 BBC One 31.7%[26] 16 December 2009 9.56 ITV 37.4%[27] 16 December 2010 8.90 BBC One 33.0%[27] 14 December 2011 7.61[j] ITV 29.2%[28] 3 December 2012 9.24[k] 33.7%[29] 9 December 2013 8.30[l] 31.3%[30] 8 December 2014 7.64[m] 28.7%[31] 8 December 2015 4.94 24.3%[32] 13 December 2016 5.13 22.0%[33] 19 December 2017 4.86 22.1%[34] 11 December 2018 5.01 21.7%[35] 10 December 2019 5.06 —N/a 8 December 2020 4.27 —N/a 19 December 2021[36] 4.74 —N/a 20 December 2022 3.60 —N/a 17 December 2023[37] 4.05 —N/a 15 December 2024 3.49 —N/a

## See also

- [Royal Command Performance](/source/Royal_Command_Performance)

- [List of Royal Variety Performances](/source/List_of_Royal_Variety_Performances)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [ATV](/source/Associated_Television) from 1960–1981, [LWT](/source/London_Weekend_Television) from 1982–1987, [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) from 1989–present

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [BBC TV](/source/BBC_TV) in 1962, [BBC1](/source/BBC1) from 1964–1996, [BBC One](/source/BBC_One) from 1998–2010

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Attended four times as Princess Elizabeth

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Attended as Queen Elizabeth between 1937 and 1951 and as The Queen Mother from 1959 onward

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Attended 16 times as Prince Charles

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Virtual message

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Camilla originally planned to join him but cancelled due to illness[14]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Attended five times as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Attended as Duchess of York

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** 6.75 million on ITV, 564,000 on ITV HD and 293,000 on ITV +1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** 8.05 million on ITV, 767,000 on ITV HD and 422,000 on ITV +1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** 7.07 million on ITV, 832,000 on ITV HD and 398,000 on ITV +1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** 6.31 million on ITV, 919,000 on ITV HD and 413,000 on ITV +1

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Royal Patronage"](https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-charity/royal-patronage). *Royal Variety Charity*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["British Monarchy Official Website"](http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/TheRoyalVarietyPerformance/TheRoyalVarietyPerformance.aspx).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ReferenceA_5-1) Graeme Smith (2011) *Alhambra Glasgow* [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0955942-01-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0955942-01-3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-eabf1912_6-0)** ["1912, London Palace Theatre"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090531094022/http://www.eabf.org.uk/royal-variety-performance/archive/1910s/1912). [Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund](/source/Entertainment_Artistes'_Benevolent_Fund). Archived from [the original](http://www.eabf.org.uk/royal-variety-performance/archive/1910s/1912) on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-history_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-history_7-1) ["History of the Royal Variety"](http://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance-home/history-of-the-royal-variety-performance). *royalvarietycharity.org*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Royal Variety Charity"](https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Royal Variety Charity"](https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-charity). *Royal Variety Charity*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Performances :: 1974, London Palladium"](https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance/archive/detail/1974-london-palladium). *Royal Variety Charity*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Obituary: Rod Hull"](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-rod-hull-1081501.html). *The Independent*. 19 March 1999. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Petty, Moira (12 February 1981). ["A Royal Variety Show-for the youngsters!"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19810212/039/0005). *The Stage*. p. 5. Retrieved 22 May 2026.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Thirty Years of the Royal Variety Performance"](http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/9e16689e21eb4d4992fd2347a61da251). 20 December 1990. p. 120. Retrieved 21 March 2018 – via BBC Genome.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Performances :: 2018, London Palladium"](https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance/archive/detail/2018--london-palladium). *Royal Variety Charity*. Retrieved 9 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Official Royal Variety Aftershow Party Champagne Reception and Banquets"](https://issuu.com/royalvarietycharity/docs/rvp_2018_programme_online). *Royal Variety Performance 2018 - Show Brochure*. 19 November 2020. p. 96. Retrieved 2 April 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["King given flowers for Queen who misses Royal Variety over illness"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyjex288plo). *BBC News*. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-merged1_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-merged1_23-1) Royal Variety [@RoyalVariety] (16 November 2022). ["We are thrilled that our Royal guests of honour at this year's Royal Variety Performance will be Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar. https://t.co/d1ocmN8pqh"](https://twitter.com/RoyalVariety/status/1592850072559316992) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221116195625/https://twitter.com/RoyalVariety/status/1592850072559316992) from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Royal_Variety_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Royal_Variety_25-1) Royal Variety [@RoyalVariety] (23 November 2023). ["Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden to attend the Royal Variety performance alongside The Prince and Princess of Wales"](https://twitter.com/RoyalVariety/status/1727628646263758935) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [X (formerly Twitter)](/source/X_(formerly_Twitter)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Royal Variety Performance"](https://iview.abc.net.au/show/royal-variety-performance). *ABC iview*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Royal Variety Performance in Canada on CBC"](http://www.cbc.ca/holidayguide/watch/view/royal-variety-performance-2015).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Classic TV – Old UK TV Show Ratings – 1960s- FiftiesWeb"](http://fiftiesweb.com/tv/tv-ratings-uk-60s/). *fiftiesweb.com*. Retrieved 21 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["Classic TV – Old UK TV Show Ratings – 70s- FiftiesWeb"](http://fiftiesweb.com/tv/tv-ratings-uk-70s/). *fiftiesweb.com*. Retrieved 21 March 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["OVERNIGHT RATINGS – Bee Gees and Macca still rocking viewers"](http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/overnight-ratings-bee-gees-and-macca-still-rocking-viewers/1225723.article). *broadcastnow.co.uk*.

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## Further reading

- [Delfont, Bernard](/source/Bernard_Delfont) (November 1989). *Curtain Up!: Story of the Royal Variety Performance*. [Robson Books Ltd](/source/Anova_Books). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-86051-629-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-86051-629-6).

- Woodward, Christopher (3 April 2009). *The London Palladium: The Story of the Theatre and Its Stars*. Jeremy Mills Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-906600-39-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-906600-39-6).

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.royalvarietycharity.org/)

- [History of the Royal Variety Performance](http://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance-home/history-of-the-royal-variety-performance)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Royal Variety Performance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Variety_Performance) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Variety_Performance?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.