Prince William fearful about royal family jokes at Royal Variety Performance

Prince William and Kate Middleton were reportedly relieved after they attended a recent royal engagement but were not targeted with cruel jokes by the comedians on stage.

• Prince William and Kate attended the Royal Variety performance in London last month.
• A comedian has revealed that the Duke of Cambridge was relieved that the jokes targeting the royals were not bringing up the events of this year.
• In other royal news, Queen urges Prince William to stop flying helicopters—'It keeps the Queen awake at night.'

In November, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the Royal Variety performance in London. Although the performance didn't air for the general public until Sunday, December 19, 2021, photos of the royal couple were snapped at the time of the Duke and Duchess at the event.

Kate Middleton stunned in bedazzled Jenny Packham gown and looked every inch a royal superstar. The Duke of Cambridge also wowed fans in a velvet tux and many compared the handsome Prince to 007 himself, James Bond.

Despite their gorgeous appearance, a body language expert revealed that Kate Middleton and Prince William were full of ‘anticipation and excitement' ahead of this performance, and now a comedian at the event has perhaps shed some light on why the royals seemed a little anxious.

Comedian Josh Widdicombe told Hello! that while it is customary for comedians at this event to make a few gags targeting the royals in the audience, the Prince was particularly nervous about the possible jokes targeting the royal family.

"William mentioned he was happy that I hadn't made any gags about him," said Josh, "I was worried because I had mentioned him at the start. I was delighted by that but I think he has misjudged me as a much more dangerous comic than I am."

From arguments about Prince Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview which raised questions about racism within the royal family, to Prince Andrew's involvement in a sex scandal, after this past year filled with royal drama, there was certainly a lot of scandals for comedians to use as ammunition in their stand up. 

Luckily for the Duke and Duchess, the comedians at this event decided to steer clear of any controversy and instead joked lightheartedly with the royals. A brief joke about flirting was made by Alan Carr after he told the Duchess of Cambridge how beautiful she looked.

The comedian, who has been married to his husband since 2018, then assured Prince William, "Sir, I am sure you do not know who I am. But I am not hitting on your wife."

In previous years the members of the royal family in attendance have been roasted by the comedians on stage. Royal fans will fondly remember when comedian Jack Whitehall poked fun at Prince Harry's military career and said, "What you did in Afghanistan…the bravery, a ginger guy in that heat, wow! The first time you get a Victoria Cross just for stepping out of the shade.”