The Princess of Wales and Jessie J have shared an emotional embrace as they bonded over their brave battles with cancer and how it ‘puts life into perspective’.
Kate and the pop star met when the future queen and her husband Prince William went to the Royal Albert Hall in London on Wednesday night for the annual Royal Variety Performance.
The Princess Of Wales revealed earlier this year that she in remission from a undisclosed form of cancer, while Jessie underwent a mastectomy in June as part of her treatment for breast cancer.
William and Kate were chatting to entertainers at the show including Stephen Fry, who was stood next to Jessie in the line-up.
It was then that Kate shared an emotional moment with the singer, 37, who put her hand on the princess’ shoulder.
The two women embraced and spoke about the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Jessie told her: ‘I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.’
The singer performed her new song I’ll Never Know Why, which she wrote for her late bodyguard, Dave, who died by suicide in 2021.
Kate told her it was: ‘Such a moving song.’
Jessie said: ‘It is such an important conversation. I just miss him and I want to help others’, and later revealed that Prince William wants her to support his mental health work.
This is the moment the Princess Of Wales shared a warm embrace with Jessie J, after battling through their own cancer journeys
Jessie put her hand on Kate’s shoulder before the emotional hug
William and Kate, both 43, joined an array of stars at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Wednesday night for the annual Royal Variety Performance
Jessie told her: ‘I just had breast cancer. I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective’
The Princess Of Wales announced in January she was in remission from a undisclosed form of cancer, while Jessie underwent a mastectomy in June
Speaking afterwards, Jessie explained she had purposefully dressed in a black hoodie and joggers to represent someone who is feeling depressed at home.
‘They don’t want to get up in the morning, put on a fancy dress or wear make-up. They’re just wearing their comfies on the sofa.’
The singer said William asked her if she would like to team up to encourage open conversations about mental health and to combat the stigma.
‘He would love to get me involved,’ she said. ‘They are interested and know how important it is to share the message.’
The performance marked the sixth time William and Kate have attended the show together, and the princess’s first since her cancer recovery.
Of her cancer battle, Kate recently said: ‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatments done, then it’s like, “I can crack on, get back to normal,” but actually the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.’
William and Kate were on fine form at the much-loved annual event
The singer performed her new song I’ll Never Know Why, which she wrote for her late bodyguard, Dave, who died by suicide in 2021
The hitmaker underwent a mastectomy in June (pictured) as part of her treatment for breast cancer, which was caught early , but later informed fans she would need a further operation
The Prince and Princess of Wales appeared in joyful spirits as they applauded a performance at the Royal Albert Hall
Prince William and Princess Kate were particularly taken with Paddington tonight at the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
The Duke of Cambridge even kindly asked the beloved bear if he could shake his hand while remarking, ‘Your sandwich looks very nice’
William spoke with opera singer Katherine Jenkins
Inside the downstairs bar, the prince chatted to Celebrity Traitors star Sir Stephen Fry, where William revealed his entire family tuned in for the recent BBC series
William and Kate appeared to be in great spirits as they arrived at the event this evening
The Princess stunned in a velvet evening gown, paired with matching heels and dazzling collection of jewellery
The Princess was gifted a bouquet of flowers after arriving at the Royal Albert Hall
Describing a cancer diagnosis as ‘life changing’ and the treatment and recovery a ‘rollercoaster’, the Princess spoke of the importance of a holistic ‘mind, body and spirit’ approach.
The Royal Variety Performance also marked a pivotal moment for Jessie.
The singer revealed last month doctors had postponed her second cancer surgery despite her cancelling her tour to go under the knife.
Jessie recently shared the heartbreaking moment she ‘sobbed’ over her scars having a mastectomy.
In a moving interview with The Sunday Times’ Culture Magazine, Jessie shared that after having surgery, she broke down in tears while looking at her scars.
The singer had been told by doctors that as the cancer had been caught ‘early’ she would not need radiotherapy or chemotherapy, but due to the size of the lump in her breast, she underwent a full mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.
She said: ‘The other night. Mum was massaging my boob for me, because I can’t touch the scars. And I started sobbing, ”I can’t believe this has happened.” She was like, ‘I wish it was me,’ and then I’m crying, she’s crying… I’m so glad it’s not her.’
Jessie added: ‘People think, once you’ve got the all-clear, now it’s done. But I’ve got another surgery [to improve the symmetry of her implant with her other breast] and I need to heal, so I have to figure out the rest of this year.’
Jessie said her beloved son Sky, two, has been the ‘light of her life’ during her cancer battle.
The royal couple’s outing marked a rare joint ‘black tie’ evening, after William attended the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle last night solo.
The Princess, who is continuing a slow and measured return to public life while in remission from cancer, was the picture of elegance in a green velvet evening gown, while William looked dapper in black tie.
Kate paired her emerald dress, thought to be from German luxury fashion brand Talbot Runhof, with the exquisite Greville chandelier earrings, once favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II and crafted by Cartier over eleven years.
The Royal Variety Charity assists those who have worked professionally in the entertainment industry, and in 2024, it set up a dedicated team to assist those who are in need of help and support because of mental health issues, a cause close to William and Kate’s hearts.
This year’s show was hosted by Jason Manford and included an exclusive performance from Paddington The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre at the start of the month.
Other highlights included a 40th-anniversary celebration of the stage show Les Misérables.
The prince and princess spent nearly 40 minutes talking to all of the acts who had performed.
This included a special meet and greet with Paddington Bear, who opened the show with a song from the new musical by Tom Fletcher.
Walking about to the famous bear, who was clutching a marmalade sandwich, William said, ‘Can I shake your hand? Your sandwich looks very nice.’
The bear, who was mute without the off-stage actor, nodded while the prince continued: ‘The way you were singing was totally incredible, fantastic.’
Paddington then tipped off his hat at the couple, with William pointing to the sandwich and saying: ‘It looks very yummy.’
Inside the downstairs bar, the prince chatted to Celebrity Traitors star Sir Stephen Fry, where William revealed his entire family tuned in for the recent BBC series.
‘Good to see you out of your robes,’ the prince said. ‘We love it. All the children watched it.’
Meanwhile, Kate bent down to stroke dog Hurricane, who performed on stage with her handler Adrian Stoica, and was told it was the dog’s final show.
Christopher Biggins asked the princess if she takes her children to the pantomime and was delighted when she told him that they go to a local one in Windsor.
Actress Su Pollard was more interested in Kate’s locks: ‘I like your hair, it looks a lot lighter.’
The princess replied: ‘It used to be brown but it’s gone light in the sunshine.’
