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    1. Culture
    2. TV and Film

    Mandela Premiere: An Unexpected Tribute To An Inspiring World Leader

    The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere, with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance, was a sign of just how much interest there is in Mandela's story. See who showed up...

    By Becky Freeth
    Published 6 December 2013 In Features

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    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
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    The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere, with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance, was a sign of just how much interest there is in Mandela's story. See who showed up...

    The Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom premiere may have started as an ordinary red carpet film premiere in the heart of London's Leicester Square, but by the end of the evening, it became a fitting tribute as attendees were reminded just how remarkable Nelson Mandela's life really was.

    News of the former President's death broke during the film biopic, and The Duke of Cambridge delivered a moving speech in response to the news, as he left the cinema with Kate Middleton.

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba, the Brit actor chosen to play Mandela, was in attendance at the premiere alongside Zindzi Mandela, Nelson's daughter. See all the red carpet pictures here...

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba, the Brit actor chosen to play Mandela, was in attendance at the premiere alongside Zindzi Mandela, Nelson's daughter. See all the red carpet pictures here...

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    Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris-Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba pays a fitting tribute to Mandela in the film and arrived looking suave in a dark charcoal suit.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Catherine Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duke of Cambrdige wore a tight fitting Roland Mouret dress to the Mandela premiere, as seen before at a Claridges dinner in 2012.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, co-stars in the biopic, laugh together on the red carpet, both looking chic in black.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

     The Duchess of Cambridge chose a necklace from high street fashion store Zara to accompany her elegant cream dress.

    Zindzi Mandela At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Zindzi Mandela At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Zindzi Mandela Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Zindzi Mandela attended the premiere to honour her father's legacy, unaware of the news about to break.

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    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris look gorgeous on the red carpet to answer questions from the world's press.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

     The Duchess of Cambridge looked gorgeous in a tight fitting cream dress, teamed with black accessories.

    Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Naomie-Harris Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Naomie Harris stuns in a floor length black dress with gold peplum detailing.

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duchess of Cambridge ends a relaxed day with the London premiere, havign taken Prince George for a walk around Kensington Gardens earlier that day.

    Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Naomie-Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Naomie Harris looked gorgeous in a strapless peplum gown showing off her svelt figure.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the premiere of 'Mandela: A Long Walk To Freedom' with simple evening make-up.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duchess of Cambridge steps out in her elegant cream dress with a split side seam to show off a bit of leg.

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Cambridge look relaxed as they walked the red carpet in London last night.

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba and Naomie Harris co-star in the January-release Mandela biopic set to storm the UK box office.

    Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Idris Elba looked on proudly as he saw the excitement for his Mandela film.

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    The Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Catherine Duchess of Cambridge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    The Duchess of Cambridge exit the London premiere to the sad news of Mandela's passing.

    Joanne Salley At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Joanne Salley At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Joanne Salley At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Joanne Salley shows off in a feathered gown with flashes of gold accessories.

    Richard E Grant At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Richard E Grant At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Richard-E-Grant Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Richard E Grant steps out in a dapper velvet suit with bow tie for the London premiere.

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Singer Jamelia brought along her children to enjoy the inspiring story of Nelson Mandela.

    Zindzi Mandela At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Zindzi Mandela At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Zindzi Mandela Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Zindzi Mandela looked elegant in a floor length one shoulder dress to honour her father's legacy.

    Harvey Weinstein At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Harvey Weinstein At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Harvey-Weinstein At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Harvey Weinstein paid tribute to Nelson Mandela's life, immediately after seeing the film and hearing the sad news.

    Shingai Shoniwa At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Shingai Shoniwa At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Shingai-Shoniwa Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Shingai Shoniwa from The Noisettes attended the red carpet premiere in the heart of London last night.

    Tony Kgoroge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Tony Kgoroge At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Tony-Kgoroge Idris Elba At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Tony Kgoroge looked smart in a black suit and coordinating tie for the red carpet event.

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Jamelia At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)

    Jamelia looked chic in a floor length satin black gown for the red carpet.

    Emma McQuiston At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Emma McQuiston At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere

    Emma McQuiston At The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' Premiere
    (Image credit: Rex Features)
    Becky Freeth
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