Taylor Swift and Prince William hop on stage with Bon Jovi for “Livin’ On A Prayer.”
During the 2013 Centrepoint Gala Dinner at Kensington Palace, Jon Bon Jovi treated the audience to a few songs and teased a special duet. As he began the opening chords of “Livin’ on a Prayer,” he playfully suggested that the “karaoke kid” might want to step up and sing along. This “kid” turned out to be Prince William, a known supporter of the Centrepoint homeless charity.
With Bon Jovi leading, Taylor Swift and Prince William were right there, adding their voices to the chorus. Initially, Prince William was a bit reserved and stayed back, but with a little encouragement from Swift, he stepped up to the microphone. Singing next to Swift, an internationally acclaimed artist, helped him gain confidence, and by the end of the song, the duo exited the stage with elegance.
Reflecting on the experience, Prince William mentioned how it helped him become more confident. He was initially nervous about performing and had hesitations, which Swift helped alleviate. Even though he forgot the words to a song he loves, the experience was valuable, teaching him the lesson that it’s fine to not take oneself too seriously.
Since its debut in 1986, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” has been a massive hit, securing its spot as the band’s second number one on the US Billboard chart. It remains incredibly popular, evidenced by its 1.1 billion views on YouTube. The unique performance at Kensington Palace lent a regal air to the song, highlighting its timeless charm.