HOSTING SWEDISH ROYALTY THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES CHASE AWAY THE BLUES AT THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE

Holding hands as they arrived to walk the red carpet, the Prince and Princess of Wales proved the show must go on during a challenging week for the royal family.

- EMILY NASH

Prince William and Kate stepped out for the glittering Royal Variety Performance on a double date with Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, who were in the UK on an official visit.

And all four appeared to be in high spirits as they arrived to loud cheers from fans outside the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Kate dazzled in a floor length Poseidon blue caped sleeve gown by Safiyaa, while William was dashing in a black tuxedo.

SWEDISH STYLE

Equally elegant, Victoria wore a black feathered dress and scarf, with a bag and jewellery all from the Swedish label Toteme.

Inside, the two couples were greeted by 95-year-old Daphne Selfe, the world's oldest model and a resident of Brinsworth House care home for stage and screen professionals in Twickenham, which is supported by the Royal Variety Charity and was benefiting from the annual variety fundraiser.

"Hello Daphne, I love your outfit," said Kate admiring the silver dress with red feather tassel cuffs, while William said: "You're modelling at 95? That is incredible," before adding: "They don't make you travel about too much, do they?"

Daphne remarked on the royal couple's height and the Princess laughed, telling her: "I'm quite tall and I have high heels on, so I'm cheating."

"I don't have high heels on," added the Prince with a grin.

FLORAL TRIBUTE

The royal couples also met former 'Allo 'Allo star Vicki Michelle, an ambassador for the Royal Variety Charity, along with executives from ITV, who will broadcast the show on 17 December.

There were flowers, too, for both Princesses. Created by The Bloomery in Twickenham, each posy contained blooms and foliage from the garden of Brinsworth House, with Kate's containing Old English roses, sweetscented paper whites, thistles and rose hips, while Victoria's also included campanula, Sweden's national flower.