Advertisement

Royal foursome including Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk red carpet for James Bond No Time To Die premiere

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived at the glittering world premiere of the new Bond film No Time To Die.

In a rare joint engagement, Charles, Camilla, William and Kate stepped out on to the red carpet to meet 007 star Daniel Craig and other cast members at the Royal Albert Hall.

Charles, Camilla, William and Kate were welcomed by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa, and introduced to the producers of the movie, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The film was postponed a number of times due to the pandemic but its glittering global launch will be seen as a boost for the cinema industry.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stand with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, upon their arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall. (Getty Images)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stand with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, upon their arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall. (Getty Images)

A number of healthcare workers and members of the armed forces joined the royals in the auditorium to watch the movie as a thank you for their work during the Covid pandemic.

The highly anticipated No Time To Die is the 25th Bond film and fifth and final movie featuring Craig as 007.

The Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by Daniel Craig upon her arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die (PA)
The Duchess of Cambridge is greeted by Daniel Craig upon her arrival for the World Premiere of No Time To Die (PA)

It faced more than a year of delays due to the Covid-19 outbreak, but is being released in UK cinemas on Thursday.

Charles, Camilla, William and Kate also met producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and director Cary Joji Fukunaga.

The world premiere benefits charities supporting serving and former members of the three intelligence agencies – the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ – as well as charities supporting past and present members of the UK Special Forces.

William and Kate (REUTERS)
William and Kate (REUTERS)

Heir to the throne Charles is patron of the British Film Institute, while his son William is president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta).

William and Kate attended the star-studded world premiere for the last Bond film, Spectre, in 2015, and were joined by Prince Harry.

The outing of Charles, Camilla, William and Kate is likely to be seen as a sign of collaboration and solidarity between the future king and his eldest son.

Charles and Camilla attended the world premiere of the 23rd Bond film, Skyfall, in 2012.

No Time To Die takes place after Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica when his old friend Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, from the CIA turns up asking for help.

A mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading to a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

A number of Bond premieres have taken place at the Royal Albert Hall, including 2015’s Spectre where William and Kate and the Duke of Sussex were in attendance.

Rapper Stormzy, tennis star Emma Raducanu and Dame Judi Dench, who played M in the franchise, were also in attendance at the premiere

Daniel Craig described the No Time To Die premiere as an occasion to celebrate as he bids farewell to his career-defining role as James Bond.

He walked a rainswept red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall premiere in London wearing a dark pink suede dinner jacket over a white shirt and black bow tie.

Craig told the PA news agency: "It's been a bittersweet couple of years, so one has to keep things in perspective. The decision to leave is still there, I'm just glad that we've got a chance to celebrate tonight and have a premiere. That seemed like such a far away thing for a while."

The star said he does not take the secret agent home with him - because partner Rachel Weisz would not allow it.

He said: "I don't go home with the character, I'm not James Bond at home. I'm not allowed to be. No-one would put up with it."

Read More

James Bond No Time To Die review: This is the resurrection of the century

James Bond No Time To Die world premiere: Stars arrive including Daniel Craig, Rami Malek and Lashana Lynch

Phoebe Waller-Bridge: I don’t want to see a female bond