THE Princess of Wales shared an emotional hug with singer Jessie J last night following their separate cancer battles.

Speaking backstage after last night’s Royal Variety Show, Jessie J told Catherine that she was diagnosed with cancer in June.

“I just had breast cancer,” the singer told her. “I just want to give you a hug, cancer really puts life into perspective.”

The two women then embraced and spoke about the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis.

Jessie J has posted openly about her experience of undergoing a mastectomy, while the princess was praised for sharing her own cancer journey with the public.

Kate’s cancer treatment finished in January this year whilst the star singer is still facing treatment after facing delays to a second surgery.

In last night’s show, the 37-year-old performed her new song I’ll Never Know Why, which she wrote for her late bodyguard, Dave, who died by suicide in 2021.

Catherine, 43, told her: “Such a moving song.”

Replying, Jessie J said: “It is such an important conversation. I just miss him and I want to help others.”

She told the princess that she had just spoken to her partner, Chanan Safir Colman, about how important it is to support men through mental health crisis and encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.

Jessie and Chanan, 41, welcomed their son Sky Safir Cornish Colman in May 2023.

Speaking afterwards, Jessie J explained that she had purposefully dressed in a black hoodie and sweatpants to represent someone who is feeling depressed at home.

“They don’t want to get up in the morning, put on a fancy dress or wear make-up,” she said. “They’re just wearing their comfies on the sofa.”

She said that the Prince of Wales asked her if she would like to team up to encourage open conversations about mental health and to combat the stigma.

Jessie said: “He would love to get me involved”. “They [Kate and Will] are interested and know how important it is to share the message.”

This was the sixth time the Walses attended The Royal Variety Performance together and the first since Kate’s remission, leaving George, Charlotte and Louis at home.

William, 43, and Catherine spent nearly 40 minutes talking to all of the acts who had performed.

This included a special meet and greet with Paddington Bear, who opened the show with a song from the new musical by Tom Fletcher, with the life-sized bear the work of two actors – one who physically embodies the character and an off-stage puppeteer who controls the bear’s face and provides its voice.

Walking to the famous bear, who was clutching a marmalade sandwich, William said: “Can I shake your hand? Your sandwich looks very nice.”

The bear, who was mute without the off-stage actor, nodded while the prince continued: “The way you were singing was totally incredible, fantastic.”

Paddington then tipped off his hat at the couple, with William pointing to the sandwich and saying: “It looks very yummy.”

Inside the downstairs bar, the prince chatted to Celebrity Traitors star Sir Stephen Fry, where William revealed his entire family tuned in for the recent BBC series.

“Good to see you out of your robes,” the prince said. “We love it. All the children watched it.”

Chatting to magician Henry Moulding, who pre-recorded part of his trick at Buckingham Palace, William told him: “I had no idea you had been there.”

Meanwhile, Catherine bent down to stroke dog Hurricane, who performed on stage with her handler Adrian Stoica, and was told it was the dog’s final show.

Christopher Biggins asked the princess if she takes her children to the pantomime and was delighted when she told him that they go to a local one in Windsor.

Actress Su Pollard was more interested in Catherine’s luscious locks: “I like your hair, it looks a lot lighter.”

The princess replied: “It used to be brown but it’s gone light in the sunshine.”

Katherine Jenkins looked stunning in a Union Jack dress with a floaty cape. The classical singer beamed on the red carpet in the Royal Albert Hall prior to her performance.

Madness also took to the stage alongside Grammy award-winning singer Laufey in an all-star line-up.

Meanwhile in celebration of the show’s 40th anniversary there was a performance from the West End and Paris casts of Les Misérables.

This included a star studded lineup with Michael Ball, Matt Lucas and Killian Donnelly all performing.

ITV will air the show next month.

Queen drummer Roger Taylor and his wife Sarina Potgieter put on a loved-up display on the carpet, while ska legends Madness, led by frontman Suggs, were in fine form.

Evening host Jason Manford waved ahead of hosting the showbiz spectacular, as he replaced 2024 presenters Amanda Holden and Alan Carr.