Princes charm Bond girls at world premiere of 007’s latest movie
william and harry meet the stars at black-tie event in london’s Leicester square
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Princes William and Harry showed wit and charm worthy of Bond himself last night at the royal world premiere of Quantum of Solace.
The brothers arrived in London’s Leicester Square dressed to kill in black ties.
Before the screening they spent almost half-an-hour inside the Odeon where they chatted and joked with cast and crew.
And both William and Harry enjoyed animated conversations with new Bond girl Gemma Arterton. It took 20 minutes before Harry reached the actress, and he joked: “What took us so long to get down this end?”
Arterton, 22, said afterwards: “I had a nice chat. They are lovely guys, really charismatic and polite. We had a giggle.”
Daniel Craig arrived at the premiere looking every inch James Bond – except for a discreet black sling. The 40-year-old actor is recovering after surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured during filming. Earlier he was shaking hands using his left hand but to greet the princes he removed the strap and offered a firm hand.
Dramatic
The other Bond girl, Ukrainian-born Olga Kurylenko, 28, also chatted with the princes. She flexed in front of William and told him how she “got muscly” for the film. But slim in dramatic red dress she also explained she had now lost the additional weight.
The princes were introduced to the stars by the film’s producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Harry said it was “fantastic to be here” and asked whether it was a good film.
Rock and roll star Jack White, who co-performs the Bond song Another Way to Die with Alicia Keys, nodded and smiled respectfully as he met the royal brothers.
Speaking about her red-carpet experience, Arterton told Craig: “That was frightening but it was all right wasn’t it? I was coming out with some real gems tonight, really awful.”
New Bond villain Mathieu Amalric, 43, tugged at his jacket and told the 007 actor: “I forgot my belt. I put it in my bag.”
When Craig arrived for the evening with long-time partner Satsuki Mitchell he was washed in a sea of flashbulbs. He signed autographs and waved to the crowd – some had waited all day for a glimpse of their hero.
In the movie, Agent Fields, played by Arterton is coaxed into bed by Bond when he says: “I can’t find the stationery.” Speaking about that chat-up line, Arterton said: “It worked. Guys all around the world will be using that one.” She added that she had no problem performing a nude scene with Craig, joking: “It’s our job. He was very lucky to see me naked.”
Kurylenko, who plays Camille, said she was not disappointed about the lack of romantic interaction her character has with the secret agent. “It’s not about that. It’s a different story,” she said.
Meanwhile, director Marc Forster said this will probably be his last Bond film. He added: “They asked me to do the next one. I was very honest. I passed because I’m working on something else.”
The princes were whisked straight on to the red carpet to meet 200 invited servicemen, veterans and their families. The brothers used the event to help support two charities, the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.
The British Legion protects the interests, welfare and memory of people who have served in the armed forces. And Help for Heroes was launched last year to help support injured servicemen.
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