Taylor Swift Helps Prince William and Kids Open Up at London Show
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has been making waves across the globe, and her recent stop in London was no exception. The pop superstar, known for her chart-topping hits and captivating performances, had a special encounter with British royalty that added an extra layer of excitement to her Wembley Stadium show.
On the opening night of her three-night stint at Wembley, Swift was joined backstage by none other than Prince William and his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The group, which also included Swift’s boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, posed for a memorable selfie that Swift later shared on social media. “Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start,” she captioned the photo, marking Prince William’s 42nd birthday.
Prince William reciprocated the gesture by sharing another photo of the smiling group on the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales. “Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour,” he wrote, expressing his gratitude for the unforgettable night.
The royal family had previously welcomed Swift to London with a traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. Soldiers greeted her with a brass band rendition of her 2014 hit song “Shake It Off,” a moment that was shared on social media with the caption, “Changing of the Guard (Taylor’s Version).”
The audience at Wembley Stadium, which numbered 89,000, included a mix of celebrities and public figures such as Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, actress Salma Hayek, model Cara Delevingne, opposition leader Kier Starmer, and London mayor Sadiq Khan. The star-studded crowd was treated to Swift’s debut performance of “The Black Dog,” a song rumored to reference a London pub frequented by her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
During the show, Prince William was caught on video dancing to Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off,” a moment that quickly went viral. This isn’t the first time Swift and the future king of England have crossed paths. In 2013, Prince William joined Jon Bon Jovi and Swift onstage for a performance of “Livin’ on a Prayer” during a charity gala at London’s Kensington Palace.
Swift’s Eras Tour, which launched in March 2023, has been a global sensation. The London shows are part of a series of performances that have seen Swift travel across the UK, including a recent show at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. “That was truly out of control in the best way – looking out into that massive, bouncing, dancing sea of people… I’ll never forget it,” Swift wrote on Instagram after the Cardiff concert.
The tour is set to conclude in December, a fact that Swift acknowledged for the first time during her June 13 performance in Liverpool. “The celebration of the 100th show means this is the very first time I’ve ever acknowledged to myself and admitted that this tour is going to end in December,” she told the crowd at Anfield Stadium. “Like, that’s it.”
Travis Kelce, who has been accompanying Swift on her tour, shared his excitement about meeting Prince William and his children on his podcast, New Heights. “Dude, he was the coolest motherf—-r,” Kelce said, describing the prince as “very genuine.” He also praised Princess Charlotte, calling her “so f–king adorable” and noting her inquisitive nature. “She was a superstar,” Kelce added. “I love it when parents ask their kids to be present, be vocal — such a good parent move. If anyone’s doing it right, Prince William’s doing it right.”
Kelce’s brother, Jason, who also attended the show, shared his favorite moments from Swift’s three-hour performance. He was particularly moved by Swift’s gesture of giving her “22” costume hat to a young fan in the audience. “I’ve never cried at a f–king concert, and I was literally tearing up watching this little girl’s entire — I’m about to tear up right now,” Jason said. “It was f—ing so special.”
Jason also praised Swift’s surprise song section, where she performed mashups of “Hits Different,” “Death by a Thousand Cuts,” “The Black Dog,” “Come Back…Be Here,” and “Maroon.” “That was my favorite part,” he said. “It’s just her, a guitar and 90,000 people. To be good in front of 90,000 people with just that, I think you have to be amazing … It feels like you’re in a bar just listening to somebody play on a piano.”
As Swift’s Eras Tour continues to captivate audiences around the world, her special connection with Prince William and his children at the London show will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the tour’s most heartwarming moments.
Source: Billboard, People
