How many people have ever attended a London musical in which their great great great great great great grandfather is a character? But that was precisely what happened when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical mega-hit Hamilton played host to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, at the Victoria Palace Theatre last night.
At a spectacular fundraising performance for Sentebale, the charity founded by Prince Harry with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the cast of the multi Olivier Award-winning musical received a Royal visit like no other.
And attendees were even tantalised with Harry singing the first couple of words, “You say…” from You’ll Be Back, the famous number sung by King George III – Hamilton’s hilarious regal adversary. He then admitted that Miranda, who was in attendance, had put him up to it!
You can take a look at the best of Craig Sugden’s photos from the extraordinary evening below.
Sentebale’s collaboration with the record-breaking musical Hamilton has raised vital funds and awareness towards the charity’s work with children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa. Speaking to Miranda ahead of the evening’s performance, The Duke thanked the show’s author, remarking; “It means so much to us, and it’s going to be a fun night.”
Speaking to the packed-out theatre after the performance, Miranda began by saying; “The show talks a lot about legacy, and what we leave behind. And I want you to know that tonight, because you came to see a show we’ve raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to make a better life for people through the amazing work Sentebale does. That’s part of the true legacy that we get to pay forward.” He went onto say; “I’m so proud to be here tonight, so proud to represent this band, this cast, this incredible company so thank you so much for being here tonight.”
While introducing The Duke, Miranda turned to the audience and said; “It’s funny, I was on my honeymoon when I thought, you know, it would be funny if I had King George in the show… smash cut to 2018, and I’m sitting next to his sixth Great Grandson. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Duke of Sussex.”
The Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning production of Hamilton originally opened at the Pubic Theatre in New York in 2015. Later that year, the Broadway production opened and, in December 2017, the London production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway – the story of America then, as told by America now.