With a guest list made up of Oscar winners and British royalty, James Bond film No Time to Die at last received its world premiere in London on Tuesday.
It was the city’s biggest red carpet event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wet weather failed to dampen spirits as Daniel Craig, dressed in an eye-catching pink velvet dinner jacket, and co-stars including Lashana Lynch and Lea Seydoux reunited for the hotly anticipated movie, which cinema operators hope will bring viewing figures back to pre-pandemic levels.
Among the premiere’s guest list were Britain’s Prince Charles, his son Prince William, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. As a thanks for their frontline work fighting the pandemic, health workers and members of the armed forces were also invited.
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Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux attend the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 28, 2021. Photo: Getty -
Actor Rami Malek arrives at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Photo: Getty -
A military band plays at the Royal Albert Hall, London, before the start of the star-studded but much-delayed world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’. Photo: AFP -
English singer-songwriter Jay Kay attends the world premiere. -
Lashana Lynch, who co-stars in ‘No Time to Die’, attends the world premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, London. -
Lead actor Daniel Craig gives the trademark James Bond stare on arriving at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’. Photo: Getty -
The opening performance at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ is performed by The Royal Marines Band at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Photo: Getty -
Aquaman actor and producer Jason Momoa attends the premiere. Photo: Getty -
'No Time to Die' is believed to be Daniel Craig's final Bond movie. Photo: EPA -
Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas attends the world premiere. Photo: Getty -
American singer-songwriters Finneas O'Connell, left, and Billie Eilish pose for photographers upon arrival for the world premiere. Photo: AP -
Naomie Harris attends the premiere. Photo: Getty -
The Royal Marines Band perform at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. -
English actor Daniel Craig walks on the red carpet after arriving at the star-studded but much-delayed world premiere of the latest James Bond film. Photo: AFP -
Lea Seydoux attends the world premier event in London. Photo: Getty -
Star Daniel Craig poses during the premiere. 'No Time to Die' will be his fifth James Bond film since starting with 'Casino Royale'. Photo: Reuters -
British actress and TV writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge attends the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. -
Dame Judi Dench attends the premiere. Photo: Getty -
US-British film producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson pose on the red carpet. Broccoli is the daughter of ‘James Bond’ producer Albert Broccoli. Photo: AFP -
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, poses for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 28, 2021. Photo: AP -
Barbara Broccoli; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Michael G Wilson attend the premiere. Photo: Getty -
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted by Michael G Wilson at the event. Photo: Getty -
Charles, Price of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, walk on the red carpet, followed by producer Barbara Broccoli, Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: AP -
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and her husband Charles, Prince of Wales attend the premiere. Photo: Getty
No Time to Die, the 25th Bond movie, appears in cinemas from this week. It has been delayed three times since its original April 2020 slot as cinemas around the world were forced to shut their doors or restrict audience numbers.
The Universal Pictures and MGM film is Craig’s fifth and final outing as the suave British secret agent known for his love of fast cars and cool gadgets, wrapping up a 15-year tenure that began with 2006’s Casino Royale.
“It’s such a great relief. It was so important to me to come and celebrate with all the other cast and crew and to get it into the cinemas and we’re here,” Craig told reporters.
“A year ago I didn’t think that was going to happen.”
Asked what he was going to miss the most from playing 007, he said: “The people.”
Costing about $200 million to produce, No Time to Die centres around Bond coming out of retirement from an idyllic life in Jamaica to help track down a new villain, played by Oscar winner Rami Malek, armed with lethal technology.
It introduces new agent Nomi, played by Lynch.
“I’m just happy it’s here and we get to celebrate it in the way that it deserves,” Lynch said.
“I know the world is expecting this film,” said Seydoux, who reprises her Spectre role as Madeleine Swann.
“We tried to give the best, we gave everything to this film ... and I hope people will love it.”
