The Prince and Princess of Wales graced the red carpet at the London premiere of Tom Cruise’s latest film, ‘Digger’, on 22nd September 2026, at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square. The evening marked a reunion for the royal couple with the Hollywood star, as they were last seen together at the U.K. premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ in May 2022.
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Kate Middleton dazzled attendees in a stunning plum gown designed by Jenny Packham, complete with a plunging neckline and elegant ruched detailing at the waist, accentuated by a flowing skirt. The couple, both aged 44, appeared in high spirits at the star-studded event, which was their first joint public engagement on a film red carpet in over four years.
Their appearance came during a particularly busy period for the royal family, coinciding with the release of Charles Spencer’s memoir, ‘Swan Song: Diana, My Sister’. The book stirred considerable media attention and prompted responses from Buckingham Palace regarding specific claims about King Charles. Additionally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent visit to the U.K. with their children has reignited discussions about Harry’s strained relationships within the family, especially with his brother William. Despite the buzz surrounding these topics, neither William nor Harry addressed reporters’ inquiries regarding the memoir during their respective public engagements.
The premiere of ‘Digger’ was emblematic of the 73rd Royal Film Performance, a prestigious event that supports the Film and TV Charity in the U.K. Upon their arrival, Prince William and Princess Kate were warmly greeted by representatives from the charity before embarking on their red carpet journey, where they met with cast members and filmmakers, including the director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.
Earlier that same day, Prince William visited ActOne, an independent cinema in Acton, London, to promote the importance of community-led filmmaking. During his visit, he engaged with budding filmmakers and local creators while serving popcorn to attendees, demonstrating a dedication to fostering local cinema and supporting the arts.
The premiere served as a notable reunion for the star-studded attendees, particularly for Cruise, who has maintained a fond connection with the royal family. Previous encounters included their time together at the premiere of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, where both William and Kate walked the red carpet alongside the actor and mingled with other cast members such as Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly.
Little detail has been revealed about the narrative of ‘Digger’, which features Cruise portraying “the most powerful man in the world” in what is being described as a “comedy of catastrophic proportions.” The film also stars notable actors including Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D’Arcy.
The event extended beyond the film, serving as a significant occasion marking the long history of Royal Film Performances, which the Film and TV Charity has facilitated for over a century. The last performance occurred in November 2024, with the premiere of Ridley Scott’s ‘Gladiator II’, attended by King Charles, who became the charity’s patron following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Although not a patron of the Film and TV Charity, Prince William holds the esteemed position of President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), an institution dedicated to encouraging and enhancing the production of film, television, and video games in the U.K. ‘Digger’ was filmed at Pinewood Studios, located in Iver Heath, further connecting the film to the British film industry.
Tom Cruise’s connections with the British royal family date back many years. He and his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, notably mingled with the late Princess Diana during the 1992 premiere of their film ‘Far and Away’, and both were present at her funeral in 1997. In 2017, he encountered Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace for a dinner event celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Outward Bound Trust.
At the premiere of ‘Digger’, Cruise reflected on his camaraderie with Prince William, stating, “We have a lot in common. We both love England, and we’re both aviators; we both love flying.” As the evening unfolded, it was evident that the bond between the royal couple and Cruise remains strong, further solidifying the intersection of cinema and royal engagements in contemporary British culture.