Taylor Swift Performs for Royalty - and Meets Prince William

By Phil Boucher and Simon Perry

11/26/2013 at 05:10 PM EST

Taylor Swift and Prince William

Landov

Nashville is in the house. Well, make that the Palace.

Country pop sensation Taylor Swift lit up Kensington Palace as she led a spectacular showbiz party hosted by Prince William Tuesday night.

Swift and rocker Jon Bon Jovi were on hand to help William raise money – and awareness – for his youth homelessness charity

As for performing for royalty, the pop star added, "I am so excited. I don't think I have ever played in a palace before. So it will be really wonderful. This evening is so special ... it is for a charity that as well as being very important to Prince William is also very important to me."

Swift added that William, who had left wife Kate at home with little Prince George, "was really funny. So cool."

Before the show, Bon Jovi (who is being honored for his work with his Soul Foundation) told reporters, "What's important for me is to help break the cycle that leads to poverty. And to be invited to highlight it in such illustrious surroundings couldn't be better."

William, who has been a patron of the charity since September 2005, follows his mother Princess Diana in supporting the charity.