A Royal Evening: Queen Camilla’s Starry Soirée with Cate Blanchett and Friends
Buckle up, folks! Queen Camilla turned Buckingham Palace into the hottest spot in London on February 18 when she threw a fabulous bash for the National Theatre, showcasing both her royal charm and a little celebrity flair. Picture it: the Queen mingling with icons like Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, Andrew Garfield (a.k.a. Spider-Man), and the ever-charismatic James Corden. If you’re wondering if this is the kind of affair where you’d bump into the likes of Hugh Jackman or Judi Dench, you’re not entirely wrong—though this time it was Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter and the ever-adorable Imelda Staunton, who took a break from playing the Queen in *The Crown*, who stole a moment or two.
The crème de la crème of surprises? A live performance that had everyone buzzing! The star of the evening, Sharon D. Clarke, interrupted her chatter and invited Camilla for an impromptu viewing of a scene from Oscar Wilde’s classic *The Importance of Being Earnest*, a play near and dear to the Queen’s heart. It was an interactive treat as Ncuti Gatwa, known for *Sex Education* and his upcoming role in *Doctor Who*, and Hugh Skinner joined Clarke on stage, igniting laughter that echoed throughout the Palace.
The Queen couldn’t help but join in the joke, eyeing Clarke’s elaborate costume jewelry with playful envy, quipping, “I feel I could borrow a few for a State Dinner.” The cheek! But really, who wouldn’t want to steal a diamond or two from the stage? This gathering was more than just a royal shindig; it was a celebration of art, laughter, and a reminder of how much the National Theatre has thrived since its inception, especially post-pandemic. Camilla stepped into the patron role in 2022, taking over from Meghan Markle, and the applause for her support was palpable.
As Sir Damon Buffini, the Chair of the National Theatre, wrapped up the evening with gratitude, stating they couldn’t wait to see her and King Charles again, it was clear: this was one royal soirée for the books. Camilla left the party grinning ear-to-ear, clearly taken with the night’s hilarity and camaraderie. So, if you missed the steely yet sparkly Queen having a rollicking good time in London, fear not! With her patronage of the National Theatre, we can expect more of these star-studded events in the future.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Hello!, The Telegraph
