King Charles goes solo at Gladiator II premiere as Queen Camilla recovers from infection
King Charles looked in good spirits as he attended the Gladiator II premiere in London’s Leicester Square. The monarch, who recently led fellow members of the Royal Family at the annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph, wore a black suit and bow tie and smiled as he stepped out of his car onto the red carpet.
While at the event, Charles, 75, met some of the stars of the film including Hollywood legends Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal. Sadly Queen Camilla was unable to attend the event despite originally being due to join the King as she continues to recover from a chest infection.
The London premiere of the sequel marks the 72nd Royal Film Performance staged by the Film and TV Charity. It also marked the first one that Charles has attended as King.
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With the original Gladiator film winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor, Gladiator II has been highly anticipated among film fans. Much like its prequel the film features an all star cast, with actors including Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen securing roles.
The glitzy evening event comes after Charles spent the day celebrating the UK’s film and television industry during a reception at Buckingham Palace. As a patron of the Film and TV Charity - a role his mother Queen Elizabeth II had previously held since 1952 - the King marked the organisation’s centenary.
For the occasion, His Majesty was joined by the Queen, 77, as they welcomed a range of individuals from the world of TV, including Damian Lewis, Claudia Winkleman and Fiona Bruce. Also in attendance were famous faces such as Emily in Paris star Lucian Laviscount, comedian Mo Gilligan and actress India Amarteifio, who played young Queen Charlotte in Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
While at the reception, Damien spoke to the King about Camilla’s recent documentary, Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, the Express reports. “It’s very moving, isn’t it?” Charles said. “I think BAFTA are interested in it.”
Meanwhile, the monarch also talked to two makers of the documentary, Naveed Chowdhary-Flatt and Kerene Barefield, and told them that he’d been 'moved to tears' when he watched a preview. “I really am very proud,” he admitted.
The Queen also attended the reception, though left early. However, as she greeted Sir Ridley Scott, who has directed Gladiator II, she issued her apologies for being unable to attend the premiere on Wednesday, 13 November. “I am so sorry I’m not coming tonight. I’d be coughing throughout it,” she said.
