List of Royal Variety Performances


This is a list of Royal Variety Performances, gala evenings held annually in the United Kingdom, which are attended by senior members of the British royal family. Initially, the reigning monarch would attend the show but in more recent years, the senior members attending have alternated, with Queen Elizabeth II attending less and less frequently as her reign progressed. King Charles III attended his first Royal Variety Performance as monarch in 2024.

Performances

Where no town or city is noted in the venue column in the following table, it means that the venue is situated in London.

1910s

Consumer broadcasting had yet to be invented.
No.DateVenueActsRoyal present
1 July 1912Palace TheatrePipifax and Penlo, Barclay Gammon, The Palace Girls, George H. Chirgwin, The Bogannys, Fanny Fields, Paul Cinquevalli, Harry Tate, Ida Crispi and Fred Farrn, Vesta Tilley, La Pia, Little Tich, Arthur Prince, Alfred Lester, Clarice Mayne, Charles Aldrich, George Robey, David Devant, Wilkie Bard, Harry Lauder, Cecilia LoftusKing George V, Queen Mary and Edward, Prince of Wales
128 July 1919London ColiseumThe Flying Banvards, Ernest Hastings, George Robey and Violet Loraine, Sam Barton, Arthur Prince, Harry Tate, Clarice Mayne, Grock, Du Calion, Ethel HookKing George V and Queen Mary

1920s

All of the gala evenings in the 1920s were un-broadcast and had no main presenter.
No.DateVenueActsRoyal present
225 November 1921The HippodromeFrederick Sylvester & Co, Norah Blaney and Gwen Farrar, G. S. Melvin, Renee and Godfrey, Malcolm McEachern, Rebla, The Peep Show with Annie Croft, Reginald Sharland, Fred Allandale, Albert Darnley and Mary Gibbs, J. Milton Hayes, Billy Merson, The Five PetleysKing George V and Queen Mary
312 December 1922The HippodromeThe Flemings, Will Fyffe, Kharum, Du Calion, Lorna and Toots Pound, P. T. Selbit, Muriel George and Earnest Butcher, Tom Webster, Arthur Prince, Harry Weldon, Trix Sisters, The Mirthful JoversKing George V, Queen Mary and Queen Maud of Norway
413 December 1923London ColiseumBobbie Hind and his all-British Sonara Band, Rupert Hazell, Katrina and Joan, the Griffith Brothers, The Samurai with Lola Karsavina, Sessue Hayakawa, Lewis Gilbert, Ann Trevor and Dora de Winton, Royal Albert Hall Orchestra, Brighter London with Billy Merson, Reg Sharland, Eddie Jaye, Bernard Dudley, Laddie Cliff and Rena Hall, Russian Blue Bird Players, Alfred Lester, Loie Fuller Band, Marimba Band, The Disorderly Room with Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn, Tommy Handley, Jamieson Dodd, Cecil Bainbridge and Fred Kemp, Louis Parker, Barclay GammonKing George V and Queen Mary
512 February 1925Alhambra TheatreGeorge Hurd, Mr & Mrs Tree, Will Hay, Ethel Hook, J. Milton Hayes, J.W. Jackson's Twelve English Dancers, G. H. Elliott, Will Fyffe, Nervo and Knox, Talbot O'Farrell, Harry Tate and CompanyKing George V and Queen Mary
627 May 1926Alhambra TheatreThe Twelve Famous Tiller Girls, Dick Henderson, Robb Wilton, Lillian Burgess, Jack Hylton and his famous band, Conn Kenna, Carr & Parr, Bransby Williams, The Houston Sisters, Billy Bennett, Rick HayesKing George V and Queen Mary
727 May 1927Victoria Palace TheatreP.L. Clark, Mona Grey, Norman Long, The Victoria Girls, Jack Edge, Debroy Somers and his band, Albert Whelan, Lily Morris, Georgie Wood, Dolly Harmer, Tom Blacklock, Mr. Flotsam and Mr. Jetsam, The Three Huxster BrothersKing George V and Queen Mary
813 December 1928London ColiseumLarry Kemble, Stanelli & Douglas, The Victoria Girls, A.C. Astor, Lillian Burgess, Noni & Horace, Victor Andre, Clarkson Rose, Anton Dolin, Gracie Fields, Will Hay, Jack Hylton and his bandKing George V and Queen Mary