THE Princess of Wales shared a emotional hug with singer Jessie J after both of them faced their own cancer battles.
Speaking backstage after last night’s Royal Variety Show, Jessie J told Catherine that she was diagnosed with cancer in June.
“I just had breast cancer,” the singer told her. “I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.”
The two women then embraced and spoke about the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis.
Jessie J has posted openly about her experience of undergoing a mastectomy, while the princess was praised for sharing her own cancer journey with the public.
In last night’s show, the 37-year-old performed her new song I’ll Never Know Why, which she wrote for her late bodyguard, Dave, who died by suicide in 2021.
Catherine told her: “Such a moving song.”
Replying, Jessie J said: “It is such an important conversation. I just miss him and I want to help others.”
She told the princess that she had just spoken to her husband about how important it is to support men through mental health crisis and encourage them to talk about how their feelings.
Speaking afterwards, Jessie J explained that she had purposefully dressed in a black hoodie and sweatpants to represent someone who is feeling depressed at home.
“They don’t want to get up in the morning, put on a fancy dress or wear make-up,” she said. “They’re just wearing they’re comfies on the sofa.”
She said that William asked her if she would like to team up to encourage open conversations about mental health and to combat the stigma.
“He would love to get me involved,” she said. “They are interested and know how important it is to share the message.”
William and Catherine spent nearly 40 minutes talking to all of the acts who had performed in this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
This included a special meet and greet with Paddington Bear, who opened the show with a song from the new musical by Tom Fletcher, with the life-sized bear the work of two actors – one who physically embodies the character and an off-stage puppeteer who controls the bear’s face and provides its voice.
Walking about to the famous bear, who was clutching a marmalade sandwich, William said, “Can I shake your hand? Your sandwich looks very nice.”
The bear, who was mute without the off-stage actor, nodded while the prince continued: “The way you were singing was totally incredible, fantastic.”
Paddington then tipped off his hat at the couple, with William pointing to the sandwich and saying: “It looks very yummy.”
Inside the downstairs bar, the prince chatted to Celebrity Traitors star Sir Stephen Fry, where William revealed his entire family tuned in for the recent BBC series.
“Good to see you out of your robes,” the prince said. “We love it. All the children watched it.”
Chatting to magician Henry Moulding, who pre-recorded part of his trick at Buckingham Palace, William told him: “I had no idea you had been there.”
Meanwhile, Catherine bent down to stroke dog Hurricane, who performed on stage with her handler Adrian Stoica, and was told it was the dog’s final show.
Christopher Biggins asked the princess if she takes her children to the pantomime and was delighted when she told him that they go to a local one in Windsor.
Actress Su Pollard was more interested in Catherine’s luscious locks: “I like your hair, it looks a lot lighter.”
The princess replied: “It used to be brown but it’s gone light in the sunshine.”
