Kate's date with the in-laws to see Gary Barlow

It may not be everybody's choice to attend a pop concert with their in-laws, but the Duchess of Cambridge is set for a memorable night tonight watching Gary Barlow.

Kate and Prince William will join the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the second of two solo shows by the Take That frontman at the Royal Albert Hall.

The gigs are raising funds for the Prince's Trust and the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, of which Kate is a patron. The Prince's Trust is investing £2.5 million in five areas hardest hit by the August riots in London, Manchester and Birmingham, including Tottenham, Hackney and Croydon.

Barlow earned rave reviews for the first concert last night, when he was joined on stage by Lulu, Jason Donovan and Olly Murs. Speaking exclusively to the Standard after the show, Barlow said the link with the royal charities had helped to inspire the shows.

"I loved it," he said. "It's exactly the sort of night that's whetted my appetite for solo work. Not to make solo records again... but to do gigs for special occasions like this one for the Prince's Trust. A concert like this makes me want to do it all over again."

Barlow's work has special resonance for Kate. When Take That performed at the Princess Diana Memorial Concert at Wembley in 2007, she was pictured singing the group's hit, Back For Good, after she and William were reunited following a break in their relationship.

Fans who packed the Albert Hall last night said X Factor judge Barlow was in terrific form. Katie Mayers, 33, an events manager, said: "Seeing Jason Donovan on there with Gary singing Too Many Broken Hearts was amazing. Lulu was there as well singing Relight My Fire and Olly Murs sang Shine."
Jo Kirkham, 31, who works in marketing, said: "He did all the classic Take That songs - and it was for a great cause."

As for his other job, Barlow couldn't begin to guess who would win the "closest ever" X Factor final this weekend, though his hopes are pinned on Marcus Collins, who he has been mentoring.