Princess Catherine and Prince William have reunited with Tom Cruise at the world premiere of his upcoming film, Digger in London’s Leicester Square.
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended in support of The Film and TV Charity. Catherine wore a rich violet silk-chiffon dress by Jenny Packham, paired with a three-strand diamond and pearl necklace decorated with amethysts and ending with a chunky heart pendant outlined with diamonds.
The necklace is an incredible piece of history, dating back to 1923. It was originally gifted by Queen Alexandra to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the future Queen Mother, in celebration of her wedding to the Duke of York, future King George VI.
Queen Camilla last wore the piece of jewelry in 2012 for the James Bond movie Skyfall premiere — back when she was still the Duchess of Cornwall.
Upon taking to the black carpet, Tom greeted the Princess with a kiss to both cheeks and offered his hand when they began walking down the steps.
“I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them,” the 64-year-old actor said.
When Tom last offered his hand to Princess Catherine at the 2022 premiere of his film, Top Gun Maverick, it caused a flood of questions as many wondered if the actor had broken royal protocol. It was rumoured that commoners weren’t supposed to touch a royal. People even interpreted Catherine moving her bag into the hand that he was holding, so that he couldn’t take it again, as a sign the rumours were true.
However, this rule was never confirmed and this most recent moment between Catherine and Tom suggests it could be false.
Tom has long supported the British royal family, including raising money for the London Air Ambulance with Prince William.
For King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in May 2023, Tom shared a special pre-recorded cameo Sitting inside a cockpit, he told the newly-crowned King: “Pilot to pilot, you can be my wingman anytime.”
But Tom’s history with the family dates back even later. He met Princess Diana at the London premiere of Far and Away in 1992. Judy Wade even claimed in her novel, Diana: An Intimate Portrait, that the People’s Princess had a crush on him. He of course was dating Nicole Kidman at the time.
