SURPRISE SENSATION OF EUROVISION A WINNING PERFORMANCE THE PRINCESS OF WALES SHOWCASES HER 'IMPRESSIVE PIANO SKILLS' TO A WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE

The Princess of Wales was the surprise star of the Eurovision Song Contest as the UK played host to the annual extravaganza for the first time in 25 years.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Kate made an unannounced appearance in the opening sequence of the show, playing a grand piano in the Crimson Dining Room at Windsor Castle. Elegant in a bespoke blue Grecian-style off-the-shoulder Jenny Packham chiffon gown and a pair of earrings that once belonged to the Queen Mother, the Princess was seen smiling and laughing as she sat behind the Steinway piano to accompany last year’s champions, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, on their winning entry Stefania from the Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in Kyiv.

With a view of the castle grounds as a backdrop Kate, 41, played a short passage created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel.

The footage, which was filmed earlier this month, was later shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s social media accounts, alongside piano and disco ball emojis.

“A #Eurovision surprise,” they said. “A pleasure to join @kalush.official in a special performance of last year’s winning @eurovision entry. Enjoy the show, Liverpool.”