The Princess of Wales has made a surprise appearance in the opening sequence film for the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

Kate formed part of a pre-recorded video section that kicked off the show, which also featured stars including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sam Ryder and Joss Stone.

In the film, she played a short, instrumental piano performance, which was recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle.

It was created for her by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel.

The video also featured last year’s winner’s Kalush Orchestra singing Stefania in the iconic Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Meanwhile in the auditorium, a troupe of drummers joined Kalush Orchestra on stage to open the grand final as pyrotechnics lit up the arena.

Twenty-six acts will perform to the 6000 strong arena audience and around160 million viewers watching all around the world.

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Kate’s involvement isn’t the first royal connection to the much loved contest, and follows King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Liverpool Arena last month.

During their visit the royal couple lit up the arena with lights to mark the opening ceremony and chatted to UK hopeful Mae Miller, with the King telling her: “We will be watching you with great interest – egging you on.”

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