It’s Jenny Packham for “No Time to Die” World UPDATED

The Duchess wowed tonight in a Jenny Packham evening gown for the world premiere of No Time to Die, the latest James Bond film.

The event was at the Royal Albert Hall.  Reuters reports, “The premiere, the first of a spate of Bond promotional events worldwide, will benefit charities supporting current and former members of UK special forces, the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), the official 007 website said.”

Tatler reports, “there was also a large group of front-line workers from the NHS and armed forces in the audience, invited as a thank you for all their tireless work during the past 18 months.”

Tonight’s premiere has been a long time coming. More from this Variety piece: “The movie was originally slated to debut in April 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic pushed its release to November 2020, and then again to April 2021. In January, the film was delayed again to October. Mercifully, its final release date has stuck.”

A promotional graphic for the film.

The film is so popular extra employees have been hired to handle the expected crowds. The Guardian has more in this story.

“It is going to be the biggest opening weekend since the pandemic began,” says Tim Richards, the chief executive of Vue, the UK’s third-largest cinema operator. 

Richards said Vue, which is showing the film in all 91 of its venues, has had to increase staff numbers by about 10%, adding about 450 new employees to its 4,500 regular workforce, to handle Bondmania.

The Band of the Royal Marines Portsmouth provided music for the red carpet arrivals.

This is Daniel Craig’s last time in the role of 007.  Below, the actor at tonight’s premiere.

From The Hollywood Reporter: 

“This is amazing,” Daniel Craig said on the red carpet stage for his final Bond outing. “I really genuinely didn’t think we’d get here, but we are. … I can’t wait to celebrate with everybody.”

There was no shortage of stars. Below left, Lashana Lynch, whose character, ‘Nomi,’ is introduced in this film.  On the right, Léa Seydoux, who plays ‘Madeleine Swann.’  Red Carpet Fashion reports Ms. Lynch was wearing Vivienne Westwood and Ms. Seydoux, also in a caped gown, was in Louis Vuitton.

Below left, Ana de Armas, in the role of ‘Paloma,’ a CIA operative, on the right, Naomie Harris, who plays Moneypenny.  Ms. de Armas wore a custom Louis Vuitton velvet dress, while Ms. Harris was in a Michael Kors Spring 2022 gown, per Red Carpet Fashion.

Rami Malek portrays the villainous ‘Safin.’ On the right, David Dencik as Valdo Obruchev, whose disappearance 007 is investigating.

Here you see Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, and Cary Joji Fukunaga. Mr. Fukunaga directed the film. 

Billie Eilish performs the film’s theme song, co-written with her brother Finneas (below left).

Dame Judi Dench, who portrayed “M” in seven Bond films. One of the notable names attending the premiere: Emma Raducanu. The Duchess spent time with Emma and other US Open Tennis winners last Friday.

The royals were the final guests to arrive at the theater.   

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. 

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess greeting her father-in-law. 

There were photos before everyone headed inside. 

The Duchess of Cornwall was in a light blue chiffon dress by Bruce Oldfield.

The Duchess greeting guests attending the premiere. 

And chatting with Daniel Craig.

The Daily Mail reports, “Craig was Bond-like in his charm when he met Kate. ‘You look jolly lovely!’ he said.”

And with Lashana Lynch.

Finneas and Billie Eilish with the Duchess. 

The royal box tonight.

Another view.

Now for our look at what Kate wore.

The gown is awash in sequins, beads, and other embellishments.

It has elements of Jenny Packham’s Simona and Christina gowns, as well as a bit of the Margot (far right). NOTE: See updated info/photos below.

It also has structured shoulders and an attached cape.  Thank you to Laura for her ID work on this piece. 

UPDATE OCT 1: It turns out the Duchess’s dress is part of a special collaboration, the Jenny Packham X 007 Collection. 

The collection will be available next week at several luxury retailers.  More from the 007 site: 

To celebrate the forthcoming 60th anniversary of James Bond, Jenny Packham has collaborated with EON Productions on an exclusive capsule collection of evening wear gowns. The eight designs pay homage to the series’ legacy of powerful female characters with two styles inspired by Packham’s original designs which featured in Die Another Day and Casino Royale. 

The design worn by the Duchess is inspired by Goldfinger. Below, a side-by-side look offers a view of the similarities and differences between the Duchess’s version and the ‘off the rack’ style being released next week.

I will have more on the collection in a post next week. 

We saw what appeared to be a new pair of pumps this evening, a style by Aquazzura called the Fenix.  The point-toe style has a metallic finish, cutouts along the collar of the shoe, and a 4″ heel. 

It is available at Farfetch (£555, about $750), at My Theresa ($750), and at Aquazzura ($750).  Many thanks to Gabi for this ID. 

The Duchess wore her hair up for tonight’s engagement.

A closer look at her updo. 

The Duchess brought back the O’Nitaa earrings first noted at a 2019 reception in Pakistan.  The style is similar (but not at all identical) to the retailer’s Antique Earring with Stonework shown second from the left below.

I am told that if you are interested in a pair just like Kate’s, they retail at £290 and can be ordered by messaging O’Nitaa through WhatsApp.  

The Duchess had on the citrine cocktail ring we’ve seen over the years. 

Many will remember the Duke and Duchess attending another Bond film premiere at the Royal Albert in 2015.  That was the opening of SPECTRE. The Duchess also wore Jenny Packham to that premiere.

Prince William appeared to have on his Arthur Sleep velvet loafers.

It’s been a long time since we saw the Duchess in an evening gown, let alone on a red carpet. Tonight was a treat.

VIDEOS: 
Daniel Craig as filming wrapped on No Time to Die. 

Daniel Craig’s farewell speech after wrapping No Time To Die, his last ???? James Bond film. ? @007 pic.twitter.com/xCqab3JK3z

— Filmthusiast (@itsfilmthusiast) September 17, 2021

Here is the Royal Family Channel’s video of the event. 

 Here is ITV’s news coverage. 

 And here is the Sky News story.