The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest has kicked off in Liverpool with a flag parade featuring the countries vying for its coveted glass microphone trophy.
The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance playing the piano in a pre-recorded opening video featuring last year’s winner’s Kalush Orchestra.
They were also joined by 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder playing guitar on the top of the Liver Building with Andrew Lloyd Webber on piano.
Opening #Eurovision2023 exactly as it should be done… GO ON KALUSH ORCHESTRA! 👏 pic.twitter.com/5mUeAGY9BI
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 13, 2023
In the auditorium, a troupe of drummers joined Kalush Orchestra on stage to open the grand final as pyrotechnics lit up the arena.
Twenty-six acts will perform at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool to an expected global audience of 160 million viewers, according to the BBC.
The city is hosting on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, who won last year’s contest but are unable to host due to the Russian invasion.
Austria will open the show with Teya and Salena’s quirky dance-pop tune Who The Hell Is Edgar?, about being possessed by the ghost of 19th century Gothic author Edgar Allan Poe.
The UK’s Mae Muller will close the show with I Wrote A Song – a slot generally considered a disadvantage.
But they all face tough competition from previous winner Loreen representing Sweden and Kaarija representing Finland, both favourites to win.