Queen Camilla has hosted a star-studded party at Buckingham Palace, complete with a performance of one of the year’s most popular productions.
The Queen hosted a reception to celebrate the National Theatre. The historic organisation will be starting a new chapter soon, as director Rufus Norris is leaving after nearly a decade.
The National Theatre will be led by Indhu Rubasingham, the first woman to lead the theatre.
(Royal Family/ Instagram still/ fair use)
Queen Camilla was named as Royal Patron of the National Theatre in 2022.
The guest list included some of the most celebrated British actors from both the stage and screen. Jim Broadbent and Dame Imelda Staunton were included on the guest list, as was Cate Blanchett, Andrew Garfield, Rory Kinnear, and Sir Simon Russell Beale. James Corden, who topped the Christmas Day TV ratings with the much anticipated Gavin and Stacey special, was also among the guests.
(Royal Family/ Instagram still/ fair use)
There was a recent royal connection, with Lesley Manville attending; the 68-year-old portrayed Princess Margaret in the final two seasons of The Crown on Netflix.
Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa was joined by co-stars Hugh Skinner and Sharon D Clarke on stage to perform a scene from The Importance of Being Earnest, one of the theatre’s most popular recent productions.
The Queen loved the performance of Oscar Wilde’s play, sharing, “It’s so funny. It really makes me laugh.”
Queen Camilla is a long time supporter of the arts and is particularly well known for her focus on literacy.
