The Force was strong in London tonight as the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry joined a host of famous faces for the premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The dapper royals donned their finery as they took to the red carpet, with William raising a few eyebrows with his choice of footwear – donning dandy-ish velvet slippers while Harry stuck to sensible brogues.
They rubbed shoulders with members of the film’s cast and crew including BB-8 ahead of the star-studded screening, which is taking place at the Royal Albert Hall.
The brothers have cameo roles as Stormtroopers alongside movie hardman Tom Hardy, actor John Boyega has previously revealed.
And tonight, the two princes were each given a Stormtrooper helmet of their own by Lily Chambers, 12, and Eloisa Lerner, eight, whose fathers are both executives at Disney.
‘Wow,’ said William. ‘Should I put this on?’
The Princes got their dream come true tonight whenthey were each given a Stormtrooper helmet of their own by Lily Chambers, 12, and Eloisa Lerner, eight (pictured) whose fathers are both executives at Disney
Lifelong Star Wars fan William, who has a cameo role in the movie alongside Harry, said ‘Wow, should I put this on?’ (pictured here with Eloisa Lerner, eight)
Newly-engaged Harry, who appeared without his fiancée Meghan Markle tonight, looked delighted with him Stormtrooper helmet – but it is not the first time he’s worn one
And tonight Boyega, who plays Finn, walked the red carpet alongside fellow stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren).
Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Jonathan Ross are some of the other guests expected to attend the star-studded bash.
The premiere is being hosted in aid of The Royal Foundation, with more than 400 young people, military veterans and volunteers who have taken part in the charity’s programmes attending the event.
Some of the families who were affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy will also attend tonight’s premiere.
And while Harry stuck to sensible brogues with his black tie outfit on the red carpet tonight, William wore dandy-ish velvet slip-ons with his.
Known as Prince Albert slippers, this leather-soled style has long been favoured by the upper classes who would slip them on as a smart indoor replacement for their boots.
Dressed to impress in black tie, the two Princes take to the red carpet for the premiere of the latest Star Wars instalment which is also the brothers’ Hollywood debut – but William drew glances with his choice of footwear
The Duke raised a few eyebrows with his choice of footwear – donning velvet smoking slippers while Harry stuck to sensible brogues
Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, elevated their status by adding velvet uppers and quilted linings – and the slipper has been associated with his name ever since.
They became particularly fashionable in Hollywood in the 1930s and 40s, according to The Black Tie Guide. Clark Gable would wear them at home with coloured socks and a matching shirt.
But while some men do wear them out and about with a tuxedo, they are generally thought more appropriate for an ‘at home event’.
The Daily Mail pictured William’s uncle, Prince Edward, in a monogrammed pair earlier this week.
William and Harry rubbed shoulders with BB-8 (pictured) as well as members of the film’s cast and crew tonight ahead of the star-studded screening, which is taking place at the Royal Albert Hall
The Last Jedi is the eighth film in the Star Wars saga, following on from 2015’s hit The Force Awakens.
It is the last film where Carrie Fisher will appear as Princess Leia – the actress died aged 60, shortly after completing her final scenes.
Tonight Harry, 33, was reunited with two young people he and fiancée Meghan Markle met in Nottingham on December 1.
He congratulated hip hop performer and actor Leo Wright on his act at Nottingham Academy. ‘It was great,’ said Harry.
After meeting the Prince, Leo said: ‘I heard from him that he was impressed. For him to day you’re good, it means a lot.’
The Royals share a joke with cast and crew on the red carpet. The Last Jedi is the eighth film in the Star Wars saga, following on from 2015’s hit The Force Awakens
Harry teased a young artistic photographer from Nottingham, Jamal Sterrett, who was in the line-up to meet him. ‘You’re all dressed up for the occasion. I love that,’ he said with a smile.
At the Princes’ invitation, two people, Adel Chaoui and Mouna El Ogbani, from the ClementJames community centre were there representing families affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy six months ago. (Note: they were happy being photographed but did not want to be interviewed ).
Nervous about publicity and meeting the two royals, Ms El Ogbani gave up her chance to talk to them and went straight into the film.
‘Are you staying here for the film?’ William asked Mr Chaoui. ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m a big Star Wars fan,’ he said.
Prince charming: Harry talks with guests, as he meets the CTBF trustees and representatives from Save The Children and Shelterbox at tonight’s premiere
Despite his fashion faux pas William was in excellent spirits as he joined his brother meeting the CTBF trustees and representatives from Save The Children and Shelterbox tonight
The Duke of Cambridge talks with members of the armed forces as he makes his way around guests at the premiere
During their red carpet walkabout, William and Harry couldn’t have looked more thrilled as they met their childhood hero, Luke Skywalker.
William and Harry appeared unable to contain their excitement as they arrived on the red carpet, which was flanked by Stormtroopers, at the end of which they were met by lovable robot BB8, who chattered to them excitedly.
Both princes are huge fans of the films and in 2016 toured The Last Jedi’s Pinewood Studios set.
During that visit, William admitted that he was ‘total Star Wars geek’ and he and Harry couldn’t hide their delight as they got to pose with Luke Skywalker – actor Mark Hamill – and Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo.
On the promo tour: The princes’ arrival tonight comes after the glittering world premiere at LA’s Shrine Auditorium on Saturday
All for a good cause: The premiere is being hosted in aid of The Royal Foundation, with more than 400 young people, military veterans and volunteers who have taken part in the charity’s programmes attending the event
Inside the Royal Albert Hall tonight, the two princes conducted a traditional royal line up, meeting the stars and crew.
William could just about be heard chatting with John Boyega and Oscar Osaac, who plays Poe Damon, about ‘the lift’ – which appeared to confirm the story about their cameo appearance.
William appeared to be remonstrating with Boyaga who laughed uproariously as the prince wagged his finger.
Hotly anticipated: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, which is the longest ever Star Wars film with a running time of just over two-and-a-half hours, will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday
John Boyega is joined by two real-life Stormtroopers on the red carpet at Royal Albert Hall tonight. He is due to be joined by the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry
Boyega nearly missed the movie’s Los Angeles premiere earlier this week after he was stuck in a blizzard-hit Atlanta over the weekend.
The 25-year-old Londoner tweeted: ‘Trying to get back for the LA premiere! I actually NEED a pilot!!!’
The princes’ arrival tonight came after the glittering world premiere at LA’s Shrine Auditorium on Saturday.
The film’s director-writer Rian Johnson paid special tribute to late Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher as he introduced the screening.
Hollywood debut: Film-goers will see the Princes in their Stormtrooper outfits but with their faces hidden behind helmet visors – if the scene is kept in the final cut
He said: ‘I want to dedicate tonight to Carrie, who is up there right now flipping me the bird, saying `Damn it Rian, don´t you dare make this night a solemn tribute.
‘So let´s all have a blast tonight for Carrie.’
Carrie died at age 60 last December after completing her work on The Last Jedi.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, which is the longest ever Star Wars film with a running time of just over two-and-a-half hours, will be released in UK cinemas on Thursday December 14.