Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in London, England, became a royal affair on June 21, 2024, as Prince William celebrated his 42nd birthday at Wembley Stadium with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The event was marked by a heartwarming selfie shared on social media, capturing Swift, 34, alongside the Prince and his children, beaming with joy.
In the now-viral photograph, Swift can be seen holding her phone, extending her arm to capture the memorable moment. The Prince of Wales’s official Instagram account shared the image with the caption, “Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour.” Swift also posted the same photo on her Instagram, adding, “Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start 🇬🇧🇺🇸🤝.”
The night was memorable not only for the selfie but also for the Royal Family’s enthusiastic participation. Prince William was spotted dancing to Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off,” much to the delight of concertgoers. Videos shared by attendees showed William letting loose and having fun with his kids.
Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 9, seemed to enjoy the concert as much as their father. The young royals were seen smiling and singing along to Swift’s songs. Swift’s boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce, was also present and joined in the photo, adding a touch of American celebrity to the royal evening.
This isn’t the first time Prince William and Swift have shared a stage. Back in 2013, during a Centrepoint charity event at Kensington Palace, Swift led the Prince and Jon Bon Jovi in a performance of “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
The London concert was a part of Swift’s highly anticipated Eras Tour, which has been breaking records and delighting fans worldwide. The first of three shows at Wembley, the event drew a star-studded crowd, including celebrities like Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan and model Cara Delevingne. Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer was also in attendance, taking a break from his campaign to enjoy the concert.
The Eras Tour is not just a musical event but a cultural phenomenon, with Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, filling stadiums and boosting local economies. It’s estimated that the London shows alone will contribute approximately $385 million to the city’s economy, with nearly 640,000 people expected to attend across the eight dates.
Adding to the royal connection, the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace featured a rendition of “Shake It Off” by the royal guard band earlier that day. The royal family’s social media accounts shared a video of the performance with the caption, “Can’t stop, won’t stop groovin’🫡🥁🎺.”
While the concert was joyous, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was notably absent. Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis earlier this year and has been keeping a low profile. She publicly appeared briefly at the Trooping the Colour event on June 15, her first since Christmas, but did not attend the concert.
The night ended on a high note with Swift performing a medley of her hits, including a live debut of “The Black Dog,” a song inspired by a pub in Vauxhall, London. The Prince and his children were seen smilingly leaving the stadium, making it a birthday to remember for Prince William.