On 22 September 2026, Prince William and Princess of Wales Kate Middleton made a joint red-carpet appearance in London. The couple attended the world premiere of Tom Cruise's new film 'Digger' at the ODEON Luxe cinema on Leicester Square. The event was held as a Royal Film Performance — the 73rd charity screening organised by Film and TV Charity, which provides financial and psychological support to workers in the film and television industries.
A Vintage Necklace with a Century-Long History
The centrepiece of Kate's look was an amethyst necklace with pearls and a heart-shaped pendant — a rare jewel from the royal collection that had not been seen in public since 2012. The piece was given by Queen Alexandra to the future Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, in 1923 on the occasion of her wedding to the future King George VI. The necklace was last worn by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, at the London premiere of the film '007: Skyfall' in 2012. Thus, by the time Kate stepped onto the red carpet on 22 September 2026, exactly 14 years had passed since the jewel's previous public appearance.
The Princess of Wales's Look
For the evening, Kate chose a striking long gown in a rich purple shade by Jenny Packham. The outfit, made of a light fabric, featured a deep neckline, voluminous sleeves and a long skirt. The amethyst necklace was harmoniously complemented by pearl earrings, which, according to reports, had previously been worn by Princess Diana — thereby Kate once again underscored her connection to her mother-in-law's legacy. Prince William, for his part, opted for a formal black suit with a double-breasted velvet jacket and a bow tie.
Premiere Guests and the Film 'Digger'
On the red carpet, the couple met Tom Cruise, the film's director Alejandro González Iñárritu, and other members of the production team. Among the guests were Riz Ahmed, Sandra Hüller, Jesse Plemons, John Goodman and Emma D'Arcy. 'Digger' itself is Iñárritu's new work, in which Cruise plays the role of an influential oil magnate. The premiere became one of the key events of London's cinematic autumn in 2026.
The Royal Film Performance Tradition
The charity screening in which the premiere took place has already become a tradition for the British royal family. Film and TV Charity, founded in 2018, supports employees of the film and television industries who face financial difficulties or psychological problems. The 73rd event in this series once again confirmed that royal red-carpet appearances in the United Kingdom are not merely society news, but a tool for supporting an entire industry.
