It was a star-studded affair at St James Palace on Tuesday (10 March) as The Queen invited an array of familiar faces to a special reception. One of those included was Hannah Waddingham, who is fast becoming a rising favourite with the Royal Family. Hannah is increasingly being included in events and entrusted with more responsibilities, including being the face of a royal-led initiative. We're taking a closer look at how she's been taken in...
One of the biggest examples of how well-trusted Hannah is by the royals, is that she was chosen to host the Earthshot Prize, arriving alongside Prince William in 2023. The environmental award was founded by Prince William, and is a personal passion project which awards prizes and funding to initiatives trying to improve the world in some way. Each year, the prize-giving event takes place in a different location with an impressive showcase, featuring performers from around the globe.
In 2023, the event took place in Singapore and Hannah had a starring role alongside Prince William. Given the award is so personal to The Prince, it must have been a lot of pressure, but Hannah clearly impressed him as she then joined a panel discussion at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Camp in London the following year.
Soon after Singapore (in November 2023), Hannah was reunited with Prince William at The Royal Albert Hall, where she was invited to sing as part of the The Royal Variety Performance. Hannah sang a rendition of the Christmas carol O Holy Night, and it appeared the Princess of Wales was particularly impressed by her. According to The Mirror, Kate turned to the person next to her after Hannah's performance and remarked, "amazing, that was fantastic." After the show, Hannah could be seen laughing and catching up with the royal couple.
Given Hannah's brilliant performance, it's no surprise that The Princess then invited Hannah to sing at the carol concert she hosts each year, Together at Christmas. While Hannah was due to be part of the most recent 2025 event, she had to pull out due to a vocal strain, it was widely reported. Hannah had been due to sing another Christmas carol, In the Bleak Midwinter, at the Westminster Abbey service. While she wasn't able to perform, she did attend as a guest.
Having won over both the Prince and Princess of Wales, Hannah has now been noticed by The Queen. This week, Queen Camilla hosted a special reception with Women of the World (WOW) to celebrate 'brilliant women from all spheres of life - from the Arts to Education and Business, and people working to eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls,' the Royal Family explained. The event marked 15 years of the organisation's work, and Queen Camilla has been president since 2015.
What to read next
Hannah's latest role with the Royal Family meant attending the event as one of the 'brilliant women' featured. Other big names included Dame Helen Mirren, Miriam Margolyes, Sandi Toksvig and many more. For the occasion, Hannah wore a sparkling tweed suit, and she can be seen shaking hands with Her Majesty as part of a line up of guests in a video shared by The Royal Family (above).
Now Hannah has been recognised at the highest royal level, could we see Hannah following in the footsteps of other popular figures, like Sir David Beckham and Dame Helen Mirren, and eventually receiving a title? We'll have to wait and see...
