The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 ended on May 13 with a historic victory, but first there was a royal surprise. The host country invited one of its most famous figures to perform an unexpected musical moment in the final's opening song. Catherine, Princess of Wales, showed off her piano skills and performed last year's hit "Stefania" with the Ukrainian Kalush Orchestra in a video filmed at Buckingham Palace.
The first show of the final night began with a pre-recorded excerpt of "Stefania", followed by a live performance with the Kalushi Orchestra at Liverpool Stadium. A number of big names make cameos in the video, including acclaimed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Eurovision Song Contest 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder, rapper Ms Banks and singer Joss Stone. Although Kate's musical credentials are not as distinguished as those of her fellow performers, she has years of piano experience and is ready to come into her own. After the Prince and Princess of Wales shared her video on their Instagram account, fans praised it as "incredible", "awesome" and "awesome". At least one person "vomited his tea" when he saw her playing, and another "jumped on his seat."
The post's caption read: "Excited to join @kalush.official for a special performance of last year's winning @eurovision entry" and announced a "Eurovision surprise" at the start of the final.
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The show included scenes from Ukraine and the UK, allowing the band to pay homage to their home country. Normally, a victory for the Kalush Orchestra would have given Ukraine the chance to host the following Eurovision Song Contest, but security concerns stemming from Russia's ongoing incursions prevented it from hosting. Team GB are hosting the Ukrainian team, with Liverpool Stadium hosting the three-night event on May 9, May 11 and May 13.
The Princess of Wales's cameo later earned her praise from the Kalushi Orchestra on Instagram Stories: "Kate Middleton joined us to open the Eurovision Song Contest final," the text overlay read. She can be seen wearing the blue of the Ukrainian flag, perhaps as a subtle show of support. Kalush previously described "Stefania" as a "symbol of the struggle for freedom" in the Ukrainian war. The song was originally written for lead singer Oleh Psiuk's mother, but he said it grew as fans "made videos for the song and dedicated it to the heroic resistance of our countrymen." The song took on new meaning.
While Kate's performance of "Stefania" caused a stir, it wasn't an official performance last night. The competition ended with Swedish singer Loreen winning with the song "Tattoo". Her victory was historic as it made her the first female performer to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice and only the second time after Ireland's Jonny Logan (who won in 1980 and 1987) The female performer who won the singing competition. Lorraine's first victory came in 2012, more than ten years ago.
"It feels amazing," Lorraine said in her first interview since her coronation. She called it "surreal at first" and said it was "getting in there." She also reflected on how the Eurovision Song Contest has changed since winning 11 years ago, saying: "It's so much bigger now. ... I love this community, it has such wonderful values."
