The tenor and his two children, the only Italians invited to the Festival of Remembrance, moved the sovereign and the queen consort Camilla, Kate and William

Andrea, Matteo, and Virginia Bocelli performed before England’s new royals , King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the country’s first tribute to Elizabeth II. After being guests at the White House last Christmas, the Italian trio was invited to participate in the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall , a central event commemorating the country’s war dead.

The first time without the queen

An even more important event this year because of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II , who served as Chief of the Armed Forces for 70 years. Elizabeth had always been a regular participant in these celebrations, becoming, as a princess, the first female member of the Royal Family to serve as a full-time active member of the Armed Forces. The opening of the festival thus paid tribute to the late Queen and her 70 years of service and dedication.

Bocelli’s Christmas album

Andrea Bocelli, Matteo and Virginia, greeted by a warm applause, sang The Greatest Gift , an unreleased song from their new album A Family Christmas : in addition to Charles and Camilla, were William and Kate , the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, and the Right Honourable Lady Ogilvy.

Other performers included Hollywood actor and singer Luke Evans , Emmy Award-winning actress and West End star Hannah Waddingham, and musical theatre star Marisha Wallace.

 

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The central theme of the Festival this year was the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War and, as petals fell in the Royal Albert Hall , the event remembered with speeches, songs and stories, the service and sacrifice of the military throughout the history of the United Kingdom.