Royals join cast of new Bond film for glitzy London première

LONDON (AP):

Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux and the cast of the new Bond film, No Time to Die, walked the red carpet on Tuesday in London for the movie’s world première, a glittering event attended by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The film, the 25th in the long-running series and Craig’s last outing as 007, was initially due to be released in April 2020 but has suffered multiple delays because of the pandemic.

Craig, who turned up for the red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall in a pink velvet dinner jacket, told reporters how relieved he was that the film was finally making its way to cinemas.

“A year ago, this was just a dream. It didn’t look like we’d would get here. But we have, and I’m just happy that we’re here, and we can celebrate with everybody,” he said.

Seydoux echoed the sense of relief, saying: “It’s been such a crazy time for all of us. And now to celebrate, you know, with this film, to reunite. And it’s great. I’m really happy.”

Craig, 53, has played the suave secret agent in five movies, beginning with Casino Royale in 2006.

Asked how he felt about saying goodbye to the role, he said: “I’m good. I’m really good about it.” As for who would be his successor, he simply quipped: “Not my problem”.

Healthcare workers and members of Britain’s armed forces were among those invited to Tuesday’s première in thanks for their work during the pandemic.