Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles visit theatre and nightclub to support post-Covid recovery
Camilla’s swinging ’60s! Duchess of Cornwall reminisces about seeing Sir Rod Stewart perform live and her beehive as she and Prince Charles sign walls of London’s 100 Club which was at the forefront of the birth of punk
- Prince Charles, 71, and Camilla, 72, visited London theater today as city reopens
- Appeared in high spirits and met with mayor Sadiq Khan to discuss recovery
- Went on to visit The 100 Club on Oxford Street where they watched performance
- The capital is a Tier 2 area, meaning venues can reopen and patrons can attend
- Comes as it was revealed couple will spend Christmas at Highgrove this year
The Duchess of Cornwall reminisced about her carefree youth in the Sixties as she and Prince Charles visited a London club – once dubbed the Punk Palace – to lend their support to the nighttime entertainment industry.
Camilla, 73, told singer songwriter Emily Capell, 22, she was a big fan of the band The Faces and Rod Stewart back in the day as she and her husband visited The 100 Club on Oxford Street in the heart of London.
‘I saw them live,’ said the duchess, who asked Sir Rod to perform at Prince Charles’s 60th birthday party.
Earlier in the day, The Prince of Wales, 71, used the traditional namaste greeting as he and the Duchess visited Soho Theatre to celebrate the capital’s night economy.
The Duchess of Cornwall, 73, reminisced about her carefree youth in the Sixties as she and Prince Charles, 71 visited a London club – once dubbed the Punk Palace – to lend their support to the nighttime entertainment industry
The royal couple leaned against a leather sofa in the club as they penned their names onto the brick wall
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess offered the club their seal of approval as they scrawled their names onto the brick during their visit today
Earlier today, Prince Charles and Camilla made their way to the 100 Club, on Oxford Street, to discuss how the Covid-19 crisis has impacted the nightclub industry.
The venue has been hosting live music in the capital since opening in October 1942, with musicians including The Rolling Stones and The Clash playing its stage.
During the visit, Camilla complimented the West London singer Emily Capell on her beehive hairdo.
Camilla remarked: ‘I used to have my hair like that in the Sixties, so I know your pain.’
Prince Charles and Camilla enjoyed a performance by singer Emily Capell during a visit to the 100 Club nightclub in London today
The royal couple drummed their fingers and tapped their feet while listening to the singer as she performed in the club today
After her performance, the singer was greeted by the royal couple, with Camilla discussing her beehive hairstyle
The Duchess and Prince Charles appeared to enjoy Emily’s music as they visited the nightclub to celebrate London’s night economy
Turning to Prince Charles, Emily asked: ‘And you like The Three Degrees Sir?’
Charles, who was once romantically linked with Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson, laughed and remarked: ‘That was a very long time ago.’
The couple were treated to a performance by Emily and drummer, Matt Cowley, 35, at the live music venue, where stars including Sir Paul MacCartney, Chuck Berry and Oasis have played.
But it also witnessed the birth of punk with The Sex Pistols – famous for their own version of God Save The Queen – The Clash and Siouxsie & The Banshees all headlining its stage.
Charles and Camilla put protocol to one side and happily sat on plastic seats. They seemed to enjoy Emily’s performance of her song “Bonanza”, tapping their feet along with the beat.
Ruby Horton, the current owner’s daughter, joked with Camilla about looking forward to cocktail hour. Camilla chipped in, ‘you can’t beat a margarita’.
The 100 Club been a key case in the Mayor of London’s ‘Culture at Risk’ campaign.
Amy Lamé, Night Czar said: ‘The covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on London’s night-time economy with clubs, pubs, restaurants, theatres and music venues having had to close their doors for months with jobs and their future hanging in the balance. They are vital to London’s economy and will play an important role in the city’s recovery from this pandemic.
‘I am pleased we persuaded the Government to get rid of the 10pm curfew but extending it to 11pm, when it should be scrapped altogether, is a mistake.
‘There are huge numbers of cultural venues that have still not been given the financial aid they need and thousands of freelancers left unsupported by the Government.’
The couple also visited the Soho Theatre earlier today, where Charles said he was ‘praying’ that entertainment venues will be able to reopen as they battle to stay in business.
The prince has previously warned of the “terrible” impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the arts industry, praised the resilience of venues and performers amid unprecedented challenges.
During the royal visit today, Camilla recalled her beehive from the Sixties (pictured with Rupert Hambro in 1965)
He and his wife were treated to a special intimate performance of the one woman play ‘Half Breed’ by Natasha Marshall, which was nominated for best new play in the 2017 UK Theatre Awards.
It’s noted for its powerful and close to the knuckle language but none of that was performed for the royal guests.
After the performance Natasha revealed she had to dash from her Morrison’s supermarket job to do the gig of her life in front of the royals.
Still wearing her uniform and name tag, she said: ‘I’ve got to go back later so it was easier to keep it on.
Later Prince Charles and Camilla joined the singer on-stage as they spoke with her about performing and the gig-economy after the Covid-19 crisis
Prince Charles appeared enthusiastic as he arrived at the 100 Club earlier today alongside Camilla
The Prince of Wales meeting Jeff Horton and Amy Lame, London’s night czar, during a visit to the 100 Club nightclub in London
The royal couple were later given a tour of the venue, with Prince Charles remarking on photographs of famous musicians who had played the stage
‘The theatre has supported me so much I jumped at the chance to perform today.’
Charles told her: ‘That’s marvelous, such dedication.
‘I really enjoyed the performance and I am praying all of you can open soon. I wish you every success.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who accompanied the royals on their visit, told the Prince: ‘You coming here has been so important, it will really make a difference.’
During the visit, the royal couple were given pens with which to sign their signature on the walls of the venue
Prince Charles and Camilla appeared in high spirits throughout their visit to the London nightclub
After the visit, the Mayor said: ‘I’m encouraging all Londoners to do what their Royal Highnesses have done and that is to visit safely and enjoy these great venues.’
During the visit, the Duchess donned a smart black cape with structured shoulders along with a forest green suit.
She paired the outfit with black leather gloves and carried a smart forest green handbag which perfectly complemented her outfit.
Camilla donned a smart forest green suit for the occasion, pairing the look with a short black cape and leather gloves
The royals were seen strictly abiding by social distancing while attending the threatre earlier today
Meanwhile the Prince of Wales appeared in high spirits as he chatted with Deputy Mayor for Culture Justine Simons in the threatre’s bar
The royal was animated as he spoke with senior representatives during his visit to the threatre in London today
After watching a short performance at the theatre, the couple went on to the venue’s bar, where they spoke with staff
Meanwhile Prince Charles opted for a blue pinstripe suit, adding a pink tie and pocket square for the occasion.
He also donned his £6.50 mask crafted by seamstresses from his Turquoise Mountain Textiles programme.
The facemasks worn by Prince Charles during their visit were made by seamstresses who have been supported through the Turquoise Mountain Textiles programme, which was set up by The Prince of Wales in 2006 to protect heritage at risk and to provide training and jobs around the world.
The couple hoped to celebrate the capital’s night time economy during their visits, which has taken a knock during the Covid-19 crisis.
After watching the rehearsal of the play at Soho Theatre, Prince Charles spoke with Chair of Soho Theatre Dame Heather Rabbatts and one of of the performers
The royal took time to chat with the performers about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on their work over the past nine months
Shortly after watching a performance in the theatre, the royal couple spoke with actors and actresses about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the industry
Camilla maintained social distancing while speaking with performers on stage at the London theatre today
As well as performers of the theatre, Camilla also spoke with staff about the challenges of the past year during her visit with Prince Charles
Hours after the announcement was made that London would be entering Tier 2 restrictions last week, theatres began announcing that they would continue with their schedules performances as planned.
Shows including Six, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and The Play That Goes Wrong will all therefore be able to go ahead as planned, with social distancing and other safety precautions in place.
The royal’s outing marks the couple’s second appearance in recent days as England reopens after a four week long lockdown.
Last night the couple toured The National Gallery which opened its doors again for the first time yesterday.
Camilla and Charles appeared pensive as they watched the performance at the newly opened Soho Threatre this afternoon
Camilla and Charles remained at a social distance from other attendees during the visit to the theatre today
They were shown exhibitions of masterpieces by 17th century Baroque artist Artemisia Gentileschi and Renaissance painter Titian.
They were given the tour by National Gallery Director Dr Gabriele Finaldi and shared the space with dozens of tourists milling around.
The couple, who wore protective face masks, were joined on the tour by Lady Sarah Chatto, the Queen’s niece.
The central London gallery is hosting the UK’s first major monographic exhibition of the work of Artemisia Gentileschi which first opened in October shortly before lockdown.
Prince Charles and Camilla appeared in high spirits while visiting the theatre and a nightclub in London today as the city reopens after the second Covid-19 lockdown
The Prince of Wales could be seen chatting animatedly with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan while visiting the Soho theatre, in the heart of the city
The couple met with staff at the theatre, as well as the politician, during their visit in London today, which celebrated London’s night time economy
Prince Charles opted to wear his £6.50 Turquoise Mountain face covering for the occasion, while Camilla wore a navy floral mask
The Prince of Wales has been Patron of the National Gallery since 2017.
Current rules within London, which is a Tier 2 area, mean patrons can visit museums and art galleries in groups of less than six.
Meanwhile venues are also only be able to open with 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people indoors – whichever is lower. Masks are also mandatory at galleries and museums in Tier 2 areas.
The Duchess visited the National Gallery in July after the landmark had unprecedented 111 days with its doors closed.
Prince Charles and Camilla (pictured) have paid a late night visit to the National Gallery in London on the first day of its reopening after the second Covid-19 lockdown in England
The Prince of Wales, 72, and the Duchess of Cornwall (pictured together with National Gallery Director Dr Gabriele Finaldi, right), 73, donned face coverings as they visited the London landmark for a viewing this evening
It was the first major national art museum to reopen in the UK following lockdown.
This week it was revealed the Queen, 94, and the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, will spend Christmas ‘quietly’ at Windsor Castle and will not form a ‘bubble’ with any other family members.
The Queen and Prince Philip traditionally spend the festive season with close family at Sandringham, in Norfolk. But this year they will forgo the festivities and remain at Windsor Castle, where they have been isolating with a ‘bubble’ of staff since October.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be spending Christmas at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace has confirmed. Pictured, the Queen at Windsor Castle last month
It is understood the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will not take advantage of the relaxed Covid restrictions to form a Christmas bubble with other households.
It means the couple face spending Christmas Day without any of their four children for the first time since 1949, when the then Princess Elizabeth left a one-year-old Charles in the UK so she could be with Prince Philip in Malta.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall will spend Christmas at Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, although they expect to see the Queen and Prince Philip at Windsor at some point over the festive season.
Camilla will also spend time with her family.
