The Princess of Wales turned heads at the world premiere of Tom Cruise’s Digger, stepping onto the red carpet in a dazzling collection of historic royal jewels.
Kate, 44, embraced a rich purple palette for the star-studded London event, wearing Jenny Packham’s Grape Cutout Pleated Silk-Chiffon Gown from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection.
The mother of three completed the flowing look with a Jimmy Choo J Box Bordeaux velvet clutch and matching burgundy velvet pumps from the luxury fashion house.
In a poignant tribute to her late mother-in-law, Kate wore the Collingwood diamond and pearl drop earrings presented to Princess Diana ahead of her 1981 wedding to King Charles.
But the centrepiece of the royal ensemble was undoubtedly the Queen Mother’s striking amethyst Sauron necklace.
The heart-shaped piece has its own place in royal fashion history. Queen Camilla previously wore the elegant necklace to the Royal World Premiere of Skyfall at London’s Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012.
Queen Alexandra, the wife of Edward VII, gave the jewel to the future Queen Mother in 1923 to mark her engagement to the future George VI. The elaborate design combines amethysts, diamonds and seed pearls, with a large amethyst heart at its centre.
The Princess of Wales made a sparkling impression in historic royal jewels at the world premiere of Tom Cruise’s Digger
Kate, 44, chose a purple Jenny Packham Grape Cutout Pleated Silk-Chiffon Gown and the Queen Mother’s amethyst Sauron necklace
The royal mother of three paired her flowing gown with a Jimmy Choo J Box Bordeaux velvet clutch and burgundy velvet pumps
Kate’s red-carpet appearance left royal fans captivated, while Prince William looked equally polished in a black-tie ensemble featuring a velvet evening jacket and gleaming dress shoes as he greeted the waiting crowd.
Tom Cruise later helped the Princess of Wales down the cinema steps. Kate and William had first met the actor four years earlier, at the UK premiere of his blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022.
The couple appeared delighted as they spoke with the Hollywood star before the screening, alongside filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
Cruise and the future king have also joined forces at an event supporting the London Air Ambulance charity.
The actor is also reported to have arranged a private screening of the film for the Wales family after learning that Prince William was a major fan of the 1986 original.
Ahead of the Prince and Princess’s arrival, Cruise said: “I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them.”
Speaking about William, he previously said: “We have a lot in common. We both love England and we’re both aviators. We both love flying.”
Digger is a satirical black comedy in which Cruise plays a wealthy oil tycoon who causes an environmental catastrophe before attempting to convince the world that he is the only person capable of fixing it.
The most recent Royal Film Performance was the premiere of Gladiator II in November 2024, attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The King serves as patron of the Film and TV Charity, which receives support from royal film premieres.
Tuesday’s event was the 73rd Royal Film Performance in the organisation’s 100-year history.
Etched in royal history, the elegant necklace had also been worn by Queen Camilla at the Royal World Premiere of ‘Skyfall’ at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012 (pictured)
The Princess of Wales was also helped down the steps to the cinema by Tom Cruise. Both Kate and William had met the actor four years prior at the UK premiere of his hit film Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022
Kate’s red carpet attire at the event in London last night left royal fans stunned, while Prince William looked dapper in black tie, wearing a velvet evening jacket and highly polished shoes as he waved to the crowd
William and Kate were escorted down the red carpet by Marcus Ryder, chief executive of the Film and TV Charity, and chair Claire Tavenier where they were warmly greeted by Cruise and filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu.
Cruise initially stood with his hands clasped but then kissed the princess on each cheek. The group stood chatting for several minutes longer than planned, laughing and joking uproariously.
Mr Ryder joked to Cruise: ‘So, my one job was to introduce the Prince and Princess of Wales to you but you beat me to it.’
The royals were then introduced by Cruise to members of the cast and creative team, including Riz Ahmed, before he escorted them to the cinema, holding the princess’ hand as he helped her walk down the steps.
There was also an unexpected moment as David Beckham and two of his sons, Cruz and Romeo, waited in black tie to greet them and posed for a brief photocall. The princess was seen giving the boys a thumbs up.
Inside the cinema, the Prince and Princess of Wales were introduced to a line-up of beneficiaries from the Film and Television Charity including Chloe Malone, 27, who only last year was sleeping rough and is still in temporary accommodation.
Now, however, she is about to embark on a production course at the National Film and Television School thanks to the charity.
She praised it for ‘saving’ her and thanked William for his work to eradicate homelessness.
The princess was also presented with a posy and a programme by Evie Peters, seven, while four-year-old Sahrae-Lea Herbert gave the prince a programme.
Both girls, who had been waiting excitedly for them, executed beautiful curtseys.
‘Thank you for my lovely flowers,’ Catherine said.
