Duchess of Cambridge’s tears as death of Nelson Mandela was announced at London premiere of new film depicting his life
The Duchess of Cambridge broke down in tears when she was told that Nelson Mandela had died, it was revealed last night.
She and Prince William were at a royal premiere in London of a new film about Mr Mandela’s life when the news was broken to them.
The Duchess, who was sitting next to William during Thursday evening’s screening of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, was said to be ‘very moved’ when she was told 15 minutes before the end of the movie.
And she left the cinema in tears, according to the film’s executive producer Harvey Weinstein.
‘Kate was very emotional, she was in tears and very moved by the events. We all were,’ he said.
‘There is nothing to describe the momentousness of what happened. The Duke and Duchess handled themselves very elegantly.’
But William was also struggling to contain his emotions, Mr Weinstein said.
‘I spoke to them downstairs in the foyer after the movie. William was deeply touched by the news, you could see it in his face, but he was being very courageous.’
Mr Weinstein said that it was poignant that William and Kate, who share a passion for Africa and were engaged to be married in Kenya, were representing the Royal Family.
Arriving for the premiere, the Duchess had walked the red carpet in a floor-length white Roland Mouret dress.
She and Prince William had smiled for the cameras as they met the stars of the show and Mr Mandela’s daughters Zindzi and Zenani, who had flown to London from South Africa for the premiere.
At 6.50pm UK time, minutes before the gala screening was due to start at the Odeon Leicester Square, Mr Mandela died in South Africa.
A Royal protection officer is understood to have told Rebecca Deacon, the Duchess’s private secretary, who was also sitting next to her, that Mr Mandela had died.
