He may have been without his wife, Queen Camilla, but King Charles seemed delighted to see the stars at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance.

Looking smart in a crisp dinner jacket, the monarch laughed as he entered the Royal Albert Hall – and was met by Sir Elton John.

The red carpet was stolen by television presenter Amanda Holden, who was channelling her inner Little Mermaid – not to mention a set of killer abs.

She sported in a sea-foam coloured cropped, sequin-studded top with boxy shoulder pads and a skirt with a tulle train that bore a startling resemblance to Ariel’s tail.

Holden was there with her show co-host, Alan Carr, whose midnight blue dinner jacket and waistcoat was given added sparkle by a lizard brooch.

They weren’t there to greet the sovereign as they were preparing to go on stage, but beamed as they met him afterwards.

However stars including a delighted Sir Elton John were. The King could be seen grinning as they enjoyed a joke before the show at the start of the light-hearted evening.

The monarch also accepted a posy meant for his wife from Iris King-Taylor, eight, and Louie Cooper, ten, which included flowers picked from the gardens of Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity care home in Twickenham, south west London, which mirrored blooms carried by the Queen on her wedding day.

Camilla, who had been due to attend, was forced to pull out at the last minute after continuing to suffer from some ‘lingering post-viral symptoms’ from a nasty chest infection.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: ‘Following a recent chest infection, The Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest.

‘With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.’

It is understood that while she is very much ‘on the road to recovery’, these things can take time to fully clear.

Sir Elton and his husband, David Furnish, presented a musical number from their new show, The Devil Wears Prada l, with star Vanessa Williams and its cast.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly also make made an appearance with her Change and Check Choir led by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow.

They performed ‘Love Is All Around’, which is being re-released to raise awareness of breast cancer early detection.

The choir is made up of women from across the UK who detected their breast cancer through Kelly’s campaign.

The King was clearly amused during a sketch from political satirist Matt Forde.

The comedian, who is known for his impressions, joked about unfounded claims made by Donald Trump during the recent presidential campaign that illegals immigrants from Haiti were eating locals’ pets in the small Ohio city of Springfield.

Imitating Donald Trump, he said: ‘They’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs,’ before turning to look at the royal box and address the King.

‘Your Majesty King Charles, you are named after a spaniel – be very careful, they’ll eat you alive.’

The camera spanned to the monarch, who laughed enthusiastically.

Later, the King could be seen greeting an array of guests, from extravagantly-dressed Eurovision winner Nemo to Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor – who sported an open-mouthed look of amazement as she found herself face-to-face with the monarch.

The comedian had earlier posted on social media about her excitement at being part of the Royal Variety event, for which her parents were in the crowd. They included a sweet good luck card from her young children.

Steven Mulhern clutched a hand to his chest as he talked to Charles, while he cracked a magical smile as he chatted with illusionists Penn Jillette and Teller.

Given the length and lateness of tonight’s engagement, the Queen has, sources said, ‘sensibly’ decided to heed medical advice not to ‘overstretch’ herself.

It is understood that she will remain in London until Saturday but then travel to Sandringham for the week as planned.

Insiders insisted there was no cause for alarm, describing it as ‘a nasty bug that apparently is going around a bit’.

She is said to be feeling a little under the weather still but, generally speaking. on the mend. A royal source said Her Majesty was ‘naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on’.

‘She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,’ they added.

The Royal Variety Show – a hardy annual of the Buckingham Palace calendar – is the world’s longest running entertainment show, dating back to 1912.

It supports the Royal Variety Charity which helps members of the entertainment industry in the UK who need help and assistance, including those that have fallen on hard times or need mental health support.

This is the first year that His Majesty has attended as patron of the Royal Variety Charity.

Star turns in this year’s show includes a performances from the new productions of Oliver and The Devil Wears Prada , a song by Sydney Christmas – the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent programme whose prize it is to perform live – plus magic duo Penn & Teller.

Holden and her TV husband Carr have teamed up to present the highly anticipated show after winning viewers over in their two documentary series Amanda and Alan’s Spanish Job and Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job, with the latter recently renewed for a third season.

Their hilarious dynamic is a hit with fans, who love the TV personalities separately, but even more so as a pair.

Alan said: ‘I am completely thrilled to be asked back to host the Royal Variety Performance so soon, what a compliment and an honour!

‘To be able to host this magical evening with my best friend and TV wife Amanda Holden is the icing on the cake for me.

‘If I have half as much fun as I did three years ago, well we are all in for a real treat.’

Amanda said: ‘It truly is such an honour to be hosting the Royal Variety Performance this year. I’m still pinching myself!

‘This is a dream job and Alan is a true friend, we are already bursting with ideas and excitement, it’s going to be such a fun night!

‘I’ve worked on Britain’s Got Talent for 18 years and have been so proud watching all our winners perform for the Royal Family.

‘This year will be no different, so in the words of Sydnie Christmas, let’s av it!’

Sydnie Christmas was the winner of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent and will be accompanied by Dave Arch and The Royal Variety orchestra for her award-winning performance.

There will also be an exclusive medley from Cameron Mackintosh’s production of the much loved musical Oliver! and a performance from the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit musical Starlight Express.

This year’s Eurovision winner Nemo, treble Brit Award winner James Bay and disco Queen Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who will be performing her latest hit and much-loved classic Murder on The Dance Floor, will all be taking to the stage.

America’s world class magicians and comedy duo Penn and Teller are flying in especially for the show, plus, presenter and magician Stephen Mulhern will be wowing the Royals with tricks and illusions.

Cirque Du Soleil will perform a world exclusive from their Vegas show ‘O’, and the English National Ballet will perform ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ from their Christmas production of ‘Nutcracker’.

Ellie Taylor of Ted Lasso fame and political comic Matt Forde will present a humorous round up of the year, joined by writer and comic Scott Bennett and Scottish comedian Larry Dean.

The 2024 Royal Variety Performance will be broadcast on TV over the Christmas and New Year holiday.