The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are gearing up for a glamorous return to the red carpet as they prepare to attend the premiere of Tom Cruise’s new film, *Digger*, in London. The high-profile event is scheduled to take place on 22nd September at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, marking another royal encounter with the Hollywood superstar.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Tom-Cruise-Prince-William-Kate-Middleton-020824-a9eb155f124d462caa58c76937d01f78.jpg)
This upcoming premiere is not their first interaction with Cruise. The royal couple previously met him during the U.K. premiere of *Top Gun: Maverick* in May 2022, where they shared the red carpet with other cast members, including Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly. The reunion with Cruise is expected to be a highlight of the evening as they reconnect and celebrate the film industry.
The engagement will see the Prince and Princess warmly welcomed by representatives from the Film and TV Charity before they make their way down the red carpet. Following their walk, they will take time to meet the cast and crew involved in *Digger*, which has generated intrigue largely due to its mysterious plot. Details about the film remain scarce, but Variety reports that Cruise stars as “the most powerful man in the world” in what has been described as “a comedy of catastrophic proportions.”
In addition to Cruise, the cast features a number of prominent names, such as Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D’Arcy. This broad array of talent is sure to attract a significant audience, further elevating the profile of the premiere event.
The premiere of *Digger* will be the 73rd Royal Film Performance, a tradition that has been ongoing for over a century, and is presented through the collaboration of Warner Bros. Pictures and the Film and TV Charity. The last royal film event took place in November 2024 with the premiere of Ridley Scott’s *Gladiator II*, during which King Charles, who is the patron of the charity, met with the film’s stars.
While Prince William does not hold a direct patronage with the Film and TV Charity, he is actively involved in the entertainment sector as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). This role allows him to support and promote the thriving film and television industry in the UK. Notably, *Digger* was filmed at Pinewood Studios, a renowned location in the English village of Iver Heath.
Tom Cruise has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the British royal family, dating back to his interactions with the late Princess Diana. He and his ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, attended the London premiere of their film *Far and Away* in 1992, where they mingled with Diana. Furthermore, Cruise also met the late Prince Philip during a dinner for The Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
The actor’s relationship with Prince William appears to be particularly strong, highlighted by Cruise’s invitation to the royal for a private screening of *Top Gun: Maverick* before its official release. “We have a lot in common,” Cruise noted at the time, sharing that both he and William have a passion for flying, both being aviation enthusiasts.
The forthcoming premiere of *Digger* promises to be an exciting occasion for both the film industry and royal watchers alike. As the Prince and Princess of Wales prepare to attend, the event reflects their ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and engaging with British cinema. The reunion with Tom Cruise adds an extra layer of anticipation, signalling a celebration of both cinematic talent and royal connection. With the growing interest around the film and its cast, the red carpet is sure to be the place to be this September.