Screams of grief and shocked silence: Mandela's daughter is told her father has died moments before watching Royal premiere of his life story attended by shocked Kate and William

  • Zindzi Mandela spoke on the red carpet before the film about how she was 'hoping to see more' of her father
  • She was told moments later that 95-year-old had died peacefully at home, prompting screams in the auditorium
  • Appeared jovial before screening but later seemed overcome, suggesting she was told father was close to death
  • Duke and Duchess of Cambridge informed of his death discreetly by an aide shortly before the end of the film
  • Rest of audience told after movie when film's producer, Anant Singh, got up on stage to announce the 'sad news'

By Rebecca English and Simon Tomlinson

PUBLISHED: 14:42 EST, 5 December 2013 | UPDATED: 05:47 EST, 6 December 2013

Nelson Mandela's daughter was informed of her father's death while watching the royal premiere of a film chronicling his incredible life, but in a remarkable act of courage insisted the movie continue.

Zindzi Mandela took her seat alongside royalty, celebrities and fans of the former South African president in London's Leicester Square having revealed on the red carpet beforehand that she was 'hoping to see more of him'.

But moments later she was told during the film that her 95-year-old father had died peacefully at home. Screams rang out in the auditorium as the news was broken to her.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were present at the screening, were informed of his death discreetly by an aide shortly before the end of the movie.

Fellow audience members were not told until after the movie when the film's producer, Anant Singh, got up on stage and announced the 'sad news'.

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Macabre twist of fate: The Duchess of Cambridge meets Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi (right) at the Royal Premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in London shortly before she learned of her father's death

Macabre twist of fate: The Duchess of Cambridge meets Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi (right) at the Royal Premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in London shortly before she learned of her father's death

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets Zindzi Mandela (right), daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets Zindzi Mandela (right), daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela

Speaking before the screening of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, Ms Mandela said her father was doing well, when asked about his health.

She said: 'My father is fine. He's 95 years old and he is pretty frail. We are hoping to see more of him.'

 

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She had appeared jovial and relaxed walking the red carpet outside, but later seemed to be overcome.

Her publicist waved away reporters, prompting speculation that she had received word that her father was close to death.

She then went into the cinema but, just moments later, was seen looking tearful and flustered as an aide helped her to sit down.

Family affair: Zindzi Mandela on the red carpet at the Royal film performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Family affair: Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela on the red carpet at the Royal film performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Zindzi Mandela on the red carpet before the royal premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
Zindzi Mandela on the red carpet before the royal premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Zindzi took her seat alongside royalty, celebrities and fans of the former South African president in London's Leicester Square having revealed on the red carpet beforehand that she was 'hoping to see more of him'

The news, which was revealed on television in an address to the nation by South Africa's current president, Jacob Zuma, was then passed on to stunned guests after the credits had rolled. A two minutes' silence was then held in the West End cinema.

Speaking from the Odeon Leicester Square, Prince William said: 'I just wanted to say it's extremely sad and tragic news.

'We were just reminded what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It's very sad.'

The Royal couple looked ashen-faced as they walked down the stairs into the foyer. Shortly after they left, shocked members of the audience began emerging from the cinema, in silence at first.

Some in the audience burst into tears, while others sat in stunned silence, according to witnesses.

Eleanor Simmonds, 54, from Croydon, who was at the premiere to support a Mandela charity, said: 'There was an audible sharp intake of breath. It was shocking news to hear at the end of the film. Everyone was shocked,' she said. 'I was really really sad news because it was a wonderful evening.'

William and Kate leave the film premiere of Nelson Mandela's biopic moments after being told he had died

Stunned: William and Kate leave the film premiere of Nelson Mandela's biopic moments after being told he had died

Kate pictured in her car leaving the film premiere in Leicester Square after being told of Mandela's death
Kate pictured in her car leaving the film premiere in Leicester Square after being told of Mandela's death

Kate pictured in her car leaving the film premiere in Leicester Square after being told of Mandela's death

The Royals were seen leaving the premiere after hearing the news of Mandela's death. Prince William had told reporters: 'I just wanted to say it's extremely sad and tragic news'

The Royals were seen leaving the premiere after hearing the news of Mandela's death. Prince William had told reporters: 'I just wanted to say it's extremely sad and tragic news'

The cast, whose after-show party was promptly cancelled, were too upset to speak. In the foyer, security men surrounded Naomie Harris, who plays his wife, Winnie, as she walked slowly past, head down and close to tears.

John Battersby, 65, a South African journalist who knew Mandela personally and wrote the afterword to his authorised biography said: 'My daughter told me just before the announcement.

'Apparently he died half an hour before the film started. My phone was buzzing in my pocket but I just thought "who is calling me in the Mandela premiere?" In the protection of the darkness I shed a few tears.

'He was brilliantly portrayed in the film, what came through was the dignity.'

His daughter Anna said: 'I think it's very fitting that we were all here paying tribute to him at the moment of his passing.'

Mandela's death was announced as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat down to watch the screening of Long Walk To Freedom
Mandela's death was announced as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat down to watch the screening of Long Walk To Freedom

Mandela's death was announced as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat down to watch the screening of Long Walk To Freedom 

In a statement Idris Elba, who is tipped for an Oscar for his portrayal of the great man, said in a statement: 'What an honour it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.'

Harvey Weinstein -- co-chairman the studio that made 'Long Walk to Freedom'  also expressed his sorrow.

'One of the privileges of making movies is having the opportunity to immortalise those who have made a profound impact on humanity,' he said.

'We count ourselves unspeakably fortunate to have been immersed in Nelson Mandela's story and legacy.

'It's been an honour to have been granted such proximity to a man who will go down as one of history's greatest freedom fighters and advocates for justice.

'I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humour was as great as his optimism. We are deeply saddened by his loss; our hearts go out to his family and the entire South African nation.'

The death of former South African president Nelson Mandela was announced during the UK premiere of a film about his life

The death of former South African president Nelson Mandela was announced during the UK premiere of a film about his life

South African President Jacob Zuma spoke on the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg, as the film was showing

South African President Jacob Zuma spoke on the passing of former South African President Nelson Mandela, in Johannesburg, as the film was showing

Starring British actor Idris Elba, 'Mandela' follows the iconic anti-apartheid leader’s extraordinary life from childhood through to his 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island and, finally, his inauguration as the first democratically elected President of South Africa in 1994.

Speaking to the Mail before the screening, Zindzi said of the film: 'It's something that makes me feel really proud, what my family went through and the role my father played has been recognised. It is a reward [for him].'

'When we document our history in this manner we do it not just for ourselves but also for the future generations, young people that my father is really passionate about.

'He has seen clips of the film and said he saw [Idris] that he thought it was him.'

She added: 'When my 11 year-old grandson saw the movie last week, I asked him what did he thought and he said "the dude who played grandad when he talks he kind of reminds me of him".

'I said: "What about the lady who play big mammy? [Winnie Mandela]. He said: 'That chick (Naomie Harris), I think she's hot!" '

Daring: The gown by French designer Roland Mouret may have been long sleeved but it featured a thigh-high split which showed off her legs as she walked the red carpet
Daring: The gown by French designer Roland Mouret may have been long sleeved but it featured a thigh-high split which showed off her legs as she walked the red carpet

The gown by French designer Roland Mouret may have been long sleeved but it featured a thigh-high split which showed off her legs as she walked the red carpet

Before the announcement: Kate was joined at the premiere by her husband Prince William, enjoying an evening off from parenting duties

Before the announcement: Kate was joined at the premiere by her husband Prince William, enjoying an evening off from parenting duties

The film itself, which has been 16 years in the making, has received mixed reviews from critics, but Elba, who is best known for his role as a detective chief inspector in the hit TV series Luther, has been praised as ‘towering’ and ‘Oscar-worthy’.

Speaking on the red carpet last night he told Mail Online: 'Everyone knows who Mandela is, everyone has an idea of what he sounds and looks like. I worked really hard to pull in all the elements, from the sound of his voice to the way he walks.

'I don't look anything like him but it was really important the audience got a sense of who Mandela is because the likelihood is that we will never meet him in person.

'For somone who doesn't look like Mandela you have got to work harder to get the audience in there.

'I think he [Mandela] has seen parts of the film but ultimately it's about his life, he's been there, he's done it - so he might not even need to see it.

'Tonight is extra special because this is my country and when the royals come out to watch a film it's. a big deal. I feel very proud that it's my film, really proud.'

Idris Elba and Naomie Harris at the film premiere
(Left - right) Producer Anant Singh and Zindzi Mandela (right) arriving for the Royal Film Performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Stars of the film (pictured left) Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, who plays Winnie Mandela, and (pictured right) producer Anant Singh with Mandela's daughters Zenani (in red) and Zindzi Mandela (right) arriving for the Royal Film Performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom



Idris Elba and Skyfall's Naomie Harris pose for the camera in London's Leicester Square

Idris Elba and Skyfall's Naomie Harris pose for the camera in London's Leicester Square

At the start of the film Mr Mandela, 95, was believed to still be in a criticial condition after being hospitalised earlier this year with a recurring lung infection.

On Wednesday his daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, insisted he was ‘still with us, strong, courageous’ but admitted for the first time that he was on his 'deathbed’.

'Even for a lack of a better word... on his deathbed he is teaching us lessons - lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance,’ she added.

'Every moment I get with him I'm amazed.

'There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but the fighting spirit is still there with him.'

Each year the Royal Film Performance is staged to raise funds for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, which supports industry employees and their families in times of hardship.

Also benefitting from this year’s event is The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which works with the disadvantaged youth of South Africa.

  

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Not worth commenting on a waste of space.

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It is incredulous that DM readers are still posting negative and cruel comments about the Duchess of Cambridge in relation to an article about the death of Nelson Mandela. What very sad people you must be.

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Oh for goodness' sake Idris you're an actor so be discreet, not over-emotional. That's why I can't bear so many actors nowadays. They all jump on the bandwagon of grief! Be more dignified and appropriate.

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An ironic juxtaposition even by Daily Mail standards: trivia about the hair and clothes of a woman who personifies the triumph of image over substance, alongside the death of a Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian who achieved a giant leap for in the struggle against racism and Apartheid. RIP, Madiba. A great man has left the world a better place for having lived in it.

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Bet Kate didn't like the fact that William's speech was mainly spoke in the singular , rather than on behalf of both of them.

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What a stupid comment,beats all.'.Kate takes little black bag to film show';.She looks very tense and ill at ease now and is presenting herself innapropriately in dress and grooming.

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Catherine¿s eyes look sad.....

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Quite poignant the fact his biopic was being premièred whilst Mandela was taking his final breaths. What an amazing man, and I'm glad the press are giving his life the credit and recognition it deserves. On another note, I think Kate looks stunning here - love the cheeky thigh split! If I had legs like hers I'd flash them too!

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A great loss for humanity, indeed. Kate - for once you get your hair out of your face, more or less, but it is still not right! What is the matter with you or those who advise you on your appearance? And please learn how to walk with a clutch in your hand. This "clutching" clutch and hands in front while walking is ugly and ungainly. And stop showing us your upper legs, you are not a chorus girl.

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Aw that is so sad :( god rest his soul x

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