The Princess of Wales opened the final of the Eurovision song contest in spectacular fashion, with a touching piano performance tribute to Ukraine.
Kate played piano alongside last year’s Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra, in a stunning opening sequence for the grand final, shown to an estimated worldwide audience of 160 million.
Royal fans went wild for the surprise performance, which was recorded in the Crimson Drawing Room at Windsor Castle earlier this month and has been a closely-guarded palace secret.
A behind the scenes recording of the performance was shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Twitter account, showing Kate beaming as she prepared to take centre stage.
‘A pleasure to join Kalush Orchestra in a special performance of last year’s winning entry,’ the post read, adding ‘Enjoy the show, Liverpool’.
Dressed in a stunning blue Jenny Packham gown – chosen to match the colour of the Ukraine flag – Kate was seen playing a grand piano for a 10-second performance.
Kate also chose a pair of the late Queen’s earrings, in memory of Her late Majesty who publicly supported Ukraine before her death in September.
The behind the scenes video of the making of the performance starts with drone footage of Windsor Castle.
Kate is then shown laughing as she prepares for her performance, before turning her attention to practicing her part in the opening montage of the Kalush Orchestra song, Stefania.
The Princess of Wales has opened the Eurovision song contest with a piano performance in a touching tribute to Ukraine
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won last year’s Eurovision song contest in which the UK’s Sam Ryder took second place.
Their win would normally have meant Ukraine would host this year’s contest, but it was switched to Liverpool in the UK due to the conflict.
In recognition of their triumph, however, a film opened the show in which the orchestra was seen performing their winning song in the heart of Kyiv at the iconic Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station.
Throughout the film they were joined by British collaborators including the Princess of Wales, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, last year’s UK entrant Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings and Joss Stone.
The sequence, broadcast around the world, was filmed by BBC Studios who produced last week’s Coronation Concert.
Fans gushed at Kate’s beauty in the clip, and described her appearance as ‘a wonderful surprise’.
Others called it a ‘beautiful touch’ and welcomed the apparent show of support for embattled Ukraine.
Kate has astonished an estimated worldwide audience of 160 million as she played piano alongside last year’s Ukrainian winners, the Kalush Orchestra
The Princess of Wales previously showcased her musical talents at the Christmas Eve Carol Service, which she hosted last year
Many will take the Princess’s involvement as a sign of the ongoing link between Ukraine and the British Royal Family.
Kate met with Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s First Lady, during a diplomatic reception at Buckingham Palace on the eve of the Coronation last week. The pair spoke to US First Lady Dr Jill Biden.
It is not the first public piano recital for the Princess of Wales. She performed with Tom Walker at a Christmas concert in 2021.
Speaking before her first public performance, broadcast on ITV, a palace source said that playing the piano had helped Kate through lockdown. Since then, she has continued to practice.
The performance, recorded at Windsor Castle earlier this month, has been a closely-guarded palace secret
Kate has previously revealed that her passion for the piano is shared by Princess Charlotte who was taking lessons, while Prince George is learning the electric guitar.
Her decision to wear the late Queen’s earrings is a reminder of the support that the Queen gave to Ukraine. Her late Majesty requested yellow and blue flowers be placed in Windsor Castle to show solidarity to the country at the start of the conflict.
See also Russell Brand says he's been baptised in the Thames. But why will no church admit doing it?
More recently, Prince William flew to Poland to visit allied troops supporting the country.
The Princess’ contribution to the film involved a short, instrumental piano performance, created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, and was recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle.
