Kylie Minogue Dazzles Prince Of Wales And Duchess Of Cornwall In Surprise Concert

Kylie Minogue dazzled the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on Wednesday when she performed a surprise concert by royal appointment.

The pop princess sang three pared-down songs for Charles and Camilla at a St James's Palace reception to mark their Diamond Jubilee tour, which begins next month.

Ahead of the performance, Kylie tweeted "One is on one's way to St James's Palace" and posted a picture of a soldier on guard duty outside the historic building in central London.

A traditional Papua New Guinean drummer performs for Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall

Famous faces and dignitaries from the three nations the royal couple will be visiting - Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand - were invited to the event.

Among the 200 guests were comic Barry Humphries, soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, broadcaster and musician Rolf Harris, and former New Zealand rugby captain Sean Fitzpatrick.

A traditional Papua New Guinean drummer performs at St James's Palace

But all eyes were on Kylie, who wore a stylish black evening dress and was joined on a stage by two backing singers a guitarist and pianist.

Kylie Minogue entertained the crowds in front of Charles and Camilla

She is celebrating 25 years as a singer and has released her 12th album in celebration - The Abbey Road Sessions. It features 16 songs from her career, with new orchestral arrangements, recorded in the famous Abbey Road studios where the Beatles created their albums.

Before singing the Locomotion, she told her audience: "The big question is, are you ready to swing your hips now?"

She then told Charles and Camilla: "Bon voyage, have a fantastic trip."