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Prince Charles and Camilla sign wall of nightclub where the Sex Pistols and Oasis have played

Watch: Prince Charles and Camilla visit Soho Theatre

Prince Charles and Camilla have signed the wall of a nightclub in London which has hosted bands including Sex Pistols and Oasis, as they make a return to in-person engagements.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited a theatre and a club on Thursday as they offered their support to the capital’s night-time economy, which has been badly hit during the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of their visit they signed a wall in the club’s green room, where the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age, Metallica, and The Rolling Stones got ready before entertaining crowds.

The couple watched a musical performance at The 100 Club, a music venue and club on Oxford Street, by Emily Capell and drummer Matt Cawley.

Charles tapped his fingers along to the song as Capell played for her small royal audience, while Camilla appeared to enjoy a little dance in her seat.

After the performance, Cawley tweeted: “1st gig since March ... these 2 seemed to enjoy it!”

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales uses the traditional namaste greeting as he and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit Soho Theatre to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Charles uses the traditional namaste greeting as he and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit Soho Theatre. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrive at nightclub during a visit to celebrate London's night economy on December 3, 2020 in London, England. Their Royal Highnesses will be presented to the club's owner and Manager, Mr. Jeff Horton and co-manager, Ms. Ruby Horton. The Prince and The Duchess will meet music and industry professionals, before watching a short musical performance by singer Emily Capell. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Charles and Camilla in the green room at The 100 Club. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales arrive at nightclub during a visit to celebrate London's night economy on December 3, 2020 in London, England. Their Royal Highnesses will be presented to the club's owner and Manager, Mr. Jeff Horton and co-manager, Ms. Ruby Horton. The Prince and The Duchess will meet music and industry professionals, before watching a short musical performance by singer Emily Capell. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The couple signed the wall in the club after watching a live music performance. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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The royals spoke to Capell after her performance, with Camilla reminiscing about her own beehive hairdo of the 1960s - and Capell taking the chance to tease Charles about a rumoured former flame.

Camilla complimented Capell on her hair, and said: “I used to have my hair like that in the ’60s so I know your pain.”

But Capell turned to Charles and said: “And you like The Three Degrees, sir?”

Charles laughed and said: “That was a very long time ago.”

The Prince of Wales was romantically linked to Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson in the 1970s. Ferguson and the Prince are said to have exchanged letters after the band played at his 30th birthday party.

Before their trip to the club, Charles and Camilla visited Soho Theatre in Dean Street, where they watched actors rehearsing for a filmed performance.

One of the actors involved, Natasha Marshall, stayed in her work uniform, as she had to return to her supermarket job in Morrison’s after the performance.

She said: “I’ve got to go back later so it was easier to keep it on, I’ll be in such a rush.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you.

“The theatre has supported me so much I jumped at the chance to perform today.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales wear face masks as they speak to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (L) during their visit to Soho Theatre to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
London mayor Sadiq Khan meets Camilla and Charles at Soho Theatre. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales wears a face mask as he speaks to bar staff during his visit to Soho Theatre with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Charles spoke to bar staff through a screen during the visit to Soho Theatre with Camilla. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (behind centre) wear face masks as they watch a short rehearsal performance during their visit to Soho Theatre to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Charles, Camilla and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (behind centre) watched a short rehearsal performance at Soho Theatre. (Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Charles replied: “That’s marvellous, such dedication.

“I really enjoyed the performance and I am praying all of you can open soon.

“I wish you every success.”

Charles also spoke to the theatre’s bar staff through a protective screen.

The couple wore face coverings throughout, as did staff.

Both venues have been closed since March because of the pandemic.

The prince and the duchess were joined by mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and the city’s night czar Amy Lame, as well as deputy mayor for culture, Justine Simons, at the venues.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) wears a face mask as he speaks to a performer during his visit to Soho Theatre with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall  to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Charles spoke to performers during his visit to Soho Theatre. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (C) wears a face mask as she speaks to staff during her visit to Soho Theatre with Prince Charles, Prince of Wales to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cornwall wore a face mask as she spoke to staff at Soho Theatre which has been closed during the pandemic. (WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales wears a face mask as he speaks to senior representatives during his visit to Soho Theatre with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to celebrate London's night economy on December 03, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Charles also spoke to senior representatives at Soho Theatre which hopes to reopen next week. (Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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The 100 Club is London’s oldest grassroots music venue, and has been run by the same family for four generations.

The current owner is Jeff Horton and his daughter Ruby will take it over when he retires.

It has been a key case in Khan’s Culture at Risk work, and Lame negotiated unique status for the venue so that its business rates could be reduced to zero.

Soho Theatre worked with National Theatre Live and Phoebe Waller-Bridge during the first UK wide lockdown to stream the stage version of Fleabag on its platform and Amazon, raising £1.5m for theatre workers impacted by COVID-19 and charities.

The theatre hopes to start in-person performances as soon as next week, with social distancing in place.

Charles, 72, and Camilla, 73, made their first public engagement in person since the second lockdown was lifted in England on Wednesday evening, as they visited the National Gallery.

It’s understood they have been living in Highgrove House for the past few months and travel into the capital when on engagements there, rather than live at Clarence House.

They will be spending Christmas at Highgrove, though there are reports they may see the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in a socially distanced visit.

Watch: Prince Charles and Camilla visit National Gallery in London