Sweden's Loreen makes history by winning Eurovision Song Contest for the second time

Sweden's Loreen made history in Liverpool by clinching her second Eurovision Song Contest victory with the song Tattoo . She has become the first woman and only the second artist overall to achieve this feat. Meanwhile, the UK's Mae Muller ended the contest with a less fortunate second from last position. Loreen first dazzled audiences with her triumph in 2012 . In this year's Eurovision Song Contest , she successfully secured Sweden 's win with a total of 340 points from the juries and an additional 243 points from public votes. Sweden was closely followed by Finland with 526 points, while Israel took the third spot, amassing 362. Italy trailed slightly behind with 350 points, and Norway rounded out the top five with 268. Loreen's victory has also tied Sweden with Ireland as the nation with the most wins, at seven each. The triumph also means that Sweden, the homeland of Eurovision legends Abba, will host the contest on the 50th anniversary of Abba's own victory in 1974. Loreen delivered the anthemic dance-pop Tattoo from an illuminated stage, and her win brings her on par with Irish singer Johnny Logan who also secured two victories in the contest. After she was announced as the winner, Loreen said, “This is overwhelming. I'm so happy and I'm so thankful.” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Loreen on the win. Acts from 26 countries gathered in Liverpool to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Among the notable performers were Loreen, Kaarija from Finland, Mae Muller, Noa Kirel from Israel, Tvorchi from Ukraine, and Voyager from Australia. Viewers worldwide cast their votes to determine the night's best performances. The event featured artists such as Sam Ryder, the UK's second-place finisher from the previous year, along with Queen drummer Roger Taylor and Israel's former Eurovision winner, Netta. The Eurovision Song Contest was hosted in Liverpool this year because of the continuing conflict in Ukraine, which prevented the country from organising the event. Reports emerged of Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian soil during the Eurovision festivities. The British ambassador to Ukraine, Dame Melinda Simmons, said that the country, including the hometown of Ukrainian act Tvorchi, was targeted by Russian missiles. Despite the challenges, Dame Melinda praised Tvorchi's graphic presentation and stage performance. The duo's university hometown of Ternopil, which was hit by Russian strikes, added emotional significance to their performance. The opening act was performed by last year's winners, Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, while a surprise cameo by a British royal added a regal touch to the show. Kate Middleton , the Princess of Wales, showcased her piano playing skills during the opening performance. The princess contributed with an instrumental piece, recorded earlier this month in the majestic Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle. The opening sequence featured collaborations with notable individuals such as Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sam Ryder, Ms Banks, Ballet Black, Bolt Strings, and Joss Stone. Kate, who holds a grade three in piano and a grade five in theory, has previously accompanied pop sensation Tom Walker on the piano during a 2021 carol service at Westminster Abbey. Former Eurovision contestants from Liverpool and Ukraine delivered an emotional performance of You'll Never Walk Alone during the grand final. The rendition brought tears to the audience, as Dutch singer Duncan Laurence led the singing while Ukrainian winner Ruslana joined remotely from Kyiv. The heartfelt performance showcased the unity and shared emotional connection between Liverpool and Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to address the Eurovision Song Contest final on Saturday, but was barred from doing so because an alliance of international broadcasters feared it could politicise the event. He was expected to use the platform to implore the event's global audience of millions to continue backing his country in its fight to repel its Russian invaders. But the European Broadcasting Union, an alliance of 112 member organisations that organises the annual contest along with the host broadcaster, which this year is the BBC, declined to give permission. The EBU's management team said Mr Zelenskyy had “laudable intentions” but that “regrettably” his request was against the rules.

Sweden's Loreen makes history by winning Eurovision Song Contest for the second time

Britain's Princess Kate Middleton makes surprise appearance in grand final of music competition