Prince Harry is attending the Royal Variety Performance for the first time and said on his arrival that host Jack Whitehall makes him "nervous".
At the star-studded event in the Royal Albert Hall he will watch acts including Sir Elton John, One Direction and Kylie Minogue.
When he arrived, wearing a tuxedo and sporting a beard, Harry said: "Jack Whitehall makes me nervous."
Kicking off the show, Whitehall said Harry is one of his heroes, adding: "He may only be a prince but when it comes to banter all hail the king."
Harry will see an array of artists including Ricky Martin, The Corrs, Josh Groban and American country singer Kacey Musgraves.
Whitehall, who went to the same school as Harry's sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, is the youngest ever presenter of the show.
In the past, Whitehall has used his links to Kate and Marlborough College in his performances, telling of his mother's disappointment that he failed to marry the former Miss Middleton.