Viewers of the Royal Variety Performance couldn't help but share their emotional reaction as a tribute to the Queen was made. The annual event took place earlier this month but was officially aired on ITV on Tuesday evening (December 20).
The star-studded entertainment show, which fundraises for the Royal Variety Charity and has been a key event in the Royal Family calendar since 1912, was this year hosted by comedian Lee Mack and featured performances from Ellie Goulding, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and Britain’s Got Talent's winning comedian Axel Blake.
The array of acts performed in front of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, at the Royal Albert Hall. But as the first Royal Variety to take place since Queen Elizabeth's death on September 8 this year, the late monarch was honoured with a special tribute during this year’s show.
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The Queen, who attended 39 Royal Variety performances during her reign, was helped to be remembered by composer Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, singer Gary Barlow and choirmaster Gareth Malone who were accompanied by members of the London Youth Choir to perform a version of Sing.
Sing was released in 2012 and featured a number of artists assembled by Take That star Gary from across The Commonwealth, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The performance was also accompanied by a moving montage of the late Queen during her 70-year reign, with her Platinum Jubilee being celebrated months before her death.
And after watching the scenes at the end of the show, viewers flocked to social media to respond. @JodieEmily2 tweeted: "The Royal Variety Show had me nearly in tears anytime they mentioned The Queen… ffs I know she was old, and inevitable but don’t think it’ll ever properly sink in…"
@LifeAsKimBlog wrote "Almost crying at The Royal Variety Performance and the choir singing Sing. That song always gets me." @AlexPaterson0 posted: "What a emotional way, to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth, brought a tears to my eyes, still can't get that she is no longer here #RoyalVariety." @natdh82 commented: "Wow, ‘Sing’ at #RoyalVariety has set me off. What a beautiful tribute to our Queen x."
@Gavin76807295 shared: "The choir at the end of the Royal Variety was brilliant. The footage of our late Majesty the Queen was so touching. I felt for the Earl and Countess of Wessex, that must of been hard for them. #RoyalVarietyPerformance." @SandieJ3 added: "Best part of the Royal Variety Performance tonight was the choir singing #Sing at the end with @GaryBarlow @GarethMalone & @OfficialALW An amazing beautiful song. What a lovely touching tribute to our late queen #RoyalVarietyPerformance."
Elsehwhere, ITV viewers were distracted right at the start of the show when Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, didn't appear to sing the National Anthem unlike his wife, Sophie. @boogeystreet tweeted: "Just wondered why Edward never sang God save the King? #royalvariety."
@TherealBazzaD commented: "#RoyalVarietyPerformance Did Edward think he was King during the National Anthem? Isn’t he supposed to sing too?" @cully34 echoed: "So Twitter why did Sophie the Countess of Wessex sing the national anthem but Edward didn’t @RoyalVariety."
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