Prince William and Catherine join forces with Tom Cruise on the black carpet

The Prince and Princess of Wales have joined Tom Cruise at the world premiere of his new film Digger, walking the black carpet together in London.

The Hollywood star was seen offering his hand to Catherine as they made their way down the stairs of the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, making sure the princess did not trip on her purple Jenny Packham gown.

Moments earlier, the 64-year-old had greeted Catherine with a kiss on both cheeks.

He had said of the royal couple before their arrival: “I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them.”

Cruise last walked the red carpet with Prince William and Catherine in 2022 for the premier of his Top Gun film, Maverick. Back then, the actor was seen offering the princess his arm to ensure she did not trip.

This time, Catherine chose regal purple for the occasion and accessorised with the Queen Mother’s amethyst sautoir. The heirloom jewel was originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth as a wedding present by Queen Alexandra in 1923. The necklace features small seed pearls interspersed with amethysts and a large purple heart pendant.

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It was last seen in public on Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, for the premier of the James Bond movie Skyfall in 2012.

Catherine wore the pearl and diamond ‘Collingwood’ earrings once owned by Diana, the late Princess of Wales, which have become a staple of her royal wardrobe since marrying Prince William in 2011.

The premiere on Tuesday evening (early Wednesday morning in Australia) was hosted by Warner Bros Pictures and The Film and TV Charity, an organisation which offers physical, mental and financial support for those working in the industry.

Cruise has supported the royal family’s charitable endeavours for years now including raising money for the London Air Ambulance with Prince William.

In 2023, the actor recorded cameo for the coronation concert held inside the grounds of Windsor Castle. Seated inside a cockpit, Cruise told the newly-crowned King Charles: “Pilot to pilot, you can be my wingman anytime”.

William dodges questions about uncle’s book

Hours before the Digger premier, Prince William attended a film screening at a community-run cinema in his role as president of Bafta.

As he arrived at the ActOne cinema in Acton, the Prince of Wales ignored questions by waiting media about the release of a book on his mother Diana, written by her brother Earl Spencer.

“Sir, how do you feel about your uncle’s book?” one journalist called out to the prince.

But William continued walking, ignoring the question.

Swan Song: Diana, My Sister is out in Australia today following its release on Tuesday in the UK.

The book has been shrouded in controversy due to allegations made about King Charles by his former brother-in-law in the days and weeks after the death of Diana in 1997.

In a rare break from its usual mantra of “never complain, never explain” Buckingham Palace condemned the book in a statement last week after unsettling claims were made about the king. “Fraternal grief”, the palace said, could “cloud reason, affect judgement and colour memory...many years after such a loss”.

Prince William and his brother Prince Harry have both kept quiet about the book’s publication. The Duke of Sussex also dodged questions about the book when he was out in London on Monday at the WellChild Awards.

For Prince William it was business as usual as he surprised cinemagoers by delivering popcorn at the theatre in Acton. He tried his hand at serving popcorn, apologising for the hold up.

“Sorry, I’ve made this very slow, I apologise,” Prince William told customers.