Italy’s Eurovision entry Marco Mengoni showered in praise for strutting out with Pride flag-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

Italy’s Eurovision act Marco Mengoni has been showered in praise for making his entry with a Pride flag.

The 34-year-old singer, who shot to fame in 2009 winning Italy’s version of The X Factor, is no stranger to Eurovision.

In fact, ten years ago, he came in seventh place, and this time he’s trying to make it to first, going up against the likes of Mae Muller and Sweden’s Loreen.

But ahead of his performance, Marco has already been applauded for his entry.

‘Marco holding the new Pride flag I’m crying,’ one wrote.

Fans loved the moment! (Picture: AP)

Marco made quite an entrance (Picture: EPA)

Another penned: ‘Marco has already won #Eurovision for me just by walking out with the pride flag.’

‘I respect Marco Mengoni for coming out with the LGBT+ trans inclusive flag alongside the flag of Italy on the Eurovision stage,’ someone else commented.

Marco had been waving the Progress flag as he entered the arena.

An iteration of the rainbow flag revealed in 2018, the Progress flag places greater emphasis on ‘inclusion and progression’.

Mae Muller took to the stage flying our flag (Picture: AP)

‘The trans flag and marginalized community stripes were shifted to the Hoist of the flag and given a new arrow shape. The arrow points to the right to show forward movement, while being along the left edge shows that progress still needs to be made,’ designer Daniel Quasar said.

Elsewhere during the opening minutes of the song contest, the Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance.

In a blink and you’d miss it moment, Kate Middleton was seen playing a short instrumental piece, created by Joe Price and Kojo Samuel, on the piano.

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The clip, which only lasted around 10 seconds, had been recorded earlier this month in the Crimson Drawing Room of Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace said.

Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: ‘What alternate universe have I been transported to where the UK is hosting Eurovision year and Kate Middleton is making a cameo in the intro?!’

The Eurovision Song Contest is available to watch on BBCiPlayer.

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