Eurovision fans share their surprise as Princess Kate and Andrew Lloyd Webber open Liverpool’s final by playing the piano in tribute to Ukraine
Eurovision viewers were left in surprise on Saturday when The Princess of Wales and Andrew Lloyd Webber both made cameos in the final’s opening sequence.
Kate, 41, made a touching tribute to Ukraine as she played the piano in a stunning opening sequence for the grand final, held at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.
She appeared virtually from Windsor Castle in a pre-recorded segment, with her appearance on the BBC show being kept a very closely-guarded secret.
Kate looked gorgeous in a one-shouldered blue Jenny Packham gown – to match the Ukrainian flag – as she played the piano in the brief 10-second cameo.
Composer Andrew, 75, also made a surprise appearance in the opening sequence as he also played the piano and smiled at the camera in another previously filmed clip.
Secret appearance: Eurovision viewers were left in surprise on Saturday when The Princess of Wales and Andrew Lloyd Webber both made cameos in the final’s opening sequence
They both showed off their talents as last year’s Ukrainian winners the Kalush Orchestra performed an incredible opening number, shown to an estimated worldwide audience of 160million.
And viewers were left completely gobsmacked by the double cameo appearance, praising both Kate and Andrew for appearing on the popular annual song contest.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: ‘I did not have Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Princess of Wales on my #Eurovision cameo bingo card.’
Another commented: ‘Respect, Andrew Lloyd Webber,’ while a third tweeted: ‘Always keeps it classy, well done.’
And a fourth added: ‘Real surprise in the intro of #Eurovision with Kate Middleton playing the piano.’
They were not the only stars to cameo in the moving rendition of Stefania, Kalush Orchestra’s winning song last year, with the performance also featuring Joss Stone and Sam Ryder.
Liverpool is hosting the competition on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, who won the contest last year, and fans around the UK have been showing their support for both countries.
Hosts Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina welcomed thousands of fans to the grand final as it got underway.
The grand final will see the UK’s entry Mae Muller finally take to the stage. After months of preparation, the north London star will finally perform her track, I Wrote A Song, for the international voting public.
The singer, 25, is hoping to continue the success of last year’s UK entry Sam Ryder, who finished second behind Kalush Orchestra.
Wow! Kate, 41, made a touching tribute to Ukraine as she played the piano in a stunning opening sequence for the grand final, held at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena
Surprise: She appeared virtually from Windsor Castle in a pre-recorded segment, with her appearance on the BBC show being kept a very closely-guarded secret
It’s back! Hosts Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina welcomed thousands of fans to the grand final as it got underway
Entrant: The final will see the UK’s entry Mae Muller finally take to the stage. After months of preparation, London star will finally perform her track, I Wrote A Song, for the voting public
But the UK’s entrant will need to beat the odds if she hopes to take the win.
She is currently 10th favourite to win with odds of 40/1. Sweden are favourites, followed by Finland and Ukraine.
Mae said she had also been moved seeing ‘just as many Ukrainian flags in the streets as British ones’.
‘This is what Eurovision is about, it’s about people supporting each other,’ she added.
Twenty-six acts will be performing, as well as appearances from the UK’s previous Eurovision winner, Katrina Leskanich of Katrina And The Waves.
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