Duchess of Cambridge's tears as death of Nelson Mandela was announced at London premiere of new film depicting his life

Kate was told of Mandela's death by her personal assistant in the theatre
The Duchess left the cinema in tears, the film's producer said

PUBLISHED: 17:45 EST, 7 December 2013 | UPDATED: 17:45 EST, 7 December 2013

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Poignant: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled as she arrived but left the cinema in tears

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.

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Miss Deacon then informed the Duke and Duchess.

William and Kate told their aides that they wanted to see the movie to the end and they remained in their seats until the credits rolled.

‘Zindzi and Zenani left as soon as they heard the news, but they did not want to stop the screening,’ Mr Weinstein said. ‘William and Kate said they wanted to watch the movie and stayed until the end. We all did. It seemed the right thing to do.’

Moving: Prince William paid tribute to Nelson Mandela alongside the Duchess of Cambridge following last night's film premiere of Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom, where the couple were told after they saw it

The Duke and Duchess were sitting a few seats away from the British actor Idris Elba, who plays Mr Mandela, and Naomie Harris, who plays the leader’s ex-wife Winnie.

As the credits started rolling, the audience rose for a standing ovation. At this point the Royal couple were escorted out of the upper circle and downstairs into the foyer by their security team.

In the auditorium the invited audience were cheering and clapping, most unaware that Mr Mandela had died.

Then an emotional Mr Elba, film director Justin Chadwick and the producer Anant Singh came down from the upper circle to address the audience.

‘President Zuma has announced the passing of Madiba,’ Mr Singh told a now silent audience. ‘President Zuma said Madiba had departed and was at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son.’

Tears: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were visibly upset when they left the premiere of Mandela: A Long Walk To Freedom

As the credits continued to roll, Mr Singh asked for a minute’s silence.

Many of the guests, who were dressed in black tie for a planned after-party, were in tears.

Many were still crying as they spilled into the chilly foyer.

The film-makers agreed to cancel the after-party as a mark of respect to Mr Mandela.

The movie is due to be released in the UK on January 3. It has already broken box office records in South Africa.

Thousands to line the route as funeral set to eclipse Diana's

Nelson Mandela’s funeral cortege will travel through the streets of South Africa’s capital for three consecutive days ahead of his burial.

In what will be remarkable scenes, thousands of mourners are being urged by the government to line the route and ‘form a public guard of honour’.

The cortege will leave a military hospital on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings to go to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the official seat of government and administrative capital, where Mr Mandela will lie in state in a glass-topped coffin.

Deparing: The flag-covered coffin caring the body of Mr Mandela is pictured in Johannesburg on Thursday

There, South Africans will have the opportunity to file past his body and say a final farewell, but, amid tight security, they will not be allowed to bring phones or cameras inside.

‘We call on members of the public to co-operate with the authorities to ensure that this event is dignified and secure,’ said government minister Collins Chabane yesterday.

In a state funeral that may even eclipse that of Princess Diana in 1997, world leaders will arrive in South Africa this week for the ‘ten-day remembrance’ of the former president.

A set-piece memorial service will be held on Tuesday. It was originally scheduled to be held in Pretoria but due to demand was moved to a football stadium in Soweto. It is expected to be led by Mr Mandela’s friend, Desmond Tutu.

Tributes: Mourners place flowers outside the South Africa home of Mr Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg

Bright colours: People dance during a gathering of mourners on Vilakazi Street in Soweto, where the former South African President Nelson Mandela resided when he lived in the township

In what could turn into a logistical nightmare, heads of state from around the world are also invited to the funeral next Sunday, which is being held in Mr Mandela’s isolated home village of Qunu, Eastern Cape.

The 95-year-old anti-apartheid icon will be buried in a family plot alongside his children who predeceased him.

David Cameron and Prince Charles – and possibly the Queen – are expected to fly to South Africa but it is not known if they will travel to Qunu.

President Obama, who is expected at Qunu, and former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have confirmed they will be in South Africa next week.

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Observer, East Midlands, 1 day ago

Perhaps people may wish to shed a tear at the heinous crimes of the ANC of which Mandela was part, not least the 'necklacing' (placing a car tyre around a tethered victim's neck filled with petrol and ignited) of his own kind. It is not surprising that he was magnanimous in victory in order to distance himself from such horrors.

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katemac, Toronto, Canada, 1 day ago

Oh, come on!! Kate shed a tear for Mr. Mandela?? Sorry, simply feel the DM is propping up their mini article of the DOC with this head line!

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Amar, North East - England, 1 day ago

Why did she shed tears for a terrorist who by his own admission in his book is responsible for signing the executive order that led to bombings which killed innocent civilians in South Africa. He was the leader of ANC's militant wing. Read his history.

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Islandghal, Paradise, 1 day ago

I knew there was a serious reason, why our princess looked so subdued. She is a true Queen-to-be in the way the world has hoped for. Remember now, England's royalty is the most well known globally and to have that honor is an honor that should be well accepted. And our Great Kate has proven she is fit for the role of FIRST LADY! She makes me love the monarchy again, the same way our beloved QE was upon her beginnings, and still is today. We should feel blessed we have a lady like Kate to guide the next generation. May God continue to bless their family. God save our Queen!

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Bimbo1, Bristol, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

does she even know who NM is

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sunflower31, sunny sunset, Aruba, 1 day ago

Give us a break,waity doesn't even know who Madiba was because he was not a rich aristocrat.

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Tony, London, United Kingdom, 1 day ago

I doubt vey much that Harvey's recollection of events is accurate and should it be I would hope that the Duchess get a grip in future. This hero worship is turning into an unedifying spectacle led by the BBC and is frankly embarrassing. Nelson Mandela was a good old stick but pretending he was a saint is child like and infantile-grow up

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Shannen, Dublin, Ireland, 1 day ago

Judging by the faces on Wills and Kate in the car as they arrive, I think they had been arguing beforehand. Thus any tears from Kate was a result of simmering tensions between them and not for Mr Mandela.

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Gemma, USA, 1 day ago

My daughter looks just like Kate in this picture...I am glad that she is not her, however, as the hate that is heaped on this poor girl is astonishing. What a bunch of jealous people. I am always puzzled as to how so many think that the Middletons somehow played a part in Kate "snagging" William. Was he some kind of dope with no mind of his own? Any of the girls at St Andrews had just as much of a chance with him. He chose Catherine...end of story. Go direct your spite and jealousy elsewhere.

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