Kate Middleton and Prince William met One Direction!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the most popular boy band attended the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium on Thursday. The charity event happens every year as a family-friendly gala with members of the monarchy in attendance. Dating back to 1912, proceeds go to the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.
One Direction was one of the 2014 performers, along with Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato, Bette Midler and the "Britain's Got Talent" group Collabro. While Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwell, represented the royal family last year, Middleton and Prince William were the special guests this time. This was their first appearance at the event, which will be aired on ITV in December.
It was a special night for all in attendance, but especially for One Direction and Middleton. For the band, it was undeniably a huge honor to sing and the event also coincided with 1D's ongoing worldwide promotional activities for their upcoming album "Four", which is set to be released on Monday.
Middleton and One Direction met upon arriving at the event. She and Prince William took the time to speak with the boys and greet. Styles revealed to reporters after the introduction: "I said congratulations on the bump. (But) she didn't look bumpy." Prince William reportedly told 1D he'd been "keeping a close eye" on them, and Payne admitted later: "It's the most nervous I think I've ever been in my life."
Tomlinson, however, was reportedly anxious that he didn't greet Middleton properly because he didn't say "ma'am." "I said: "Hi. How are you? I'm Louis,"" Tomlison stated, prompting Liam to jokingly say: "So he's off to a bad start."
Both of them afterward took to twitter to comment on the meeting, with Tomlinson writing: "Coolest part of today…Prince William asked how Donny Rovers were doing!! Ha love it! Come on @drfc_official!" And Payne tweeted: "Such a huge day today. Was so nervous but I'm so blessed to meet some amazing people."
Check out the photos below…
