Actress Kate Winslet pulled out of the royal premiere of her new film Enigma on Monday night just hours before the screening was to begin. The Titanic beauty was set to make her first public appearance since the break-up of her marriage to director Jim Threapleton, but bowed out in light of “recent personal events”.
“I’m very sorry not to be there to celebrate the premiere of Enigma of which I’m very proud and also to pay my respects to those lives lost in the recent tragedy in New York,” she said in a statement. “In light of recent personal events I feel that, for the sake of myself and my family, a short time out of the spotlight would be beneficial.”
Kate and Jim split up in early September to the shock of friends and family. The high-profile couple had seemed very much in love, appearing round London in recent months with baby Mia in tow. However, neither has expressed hope of a reconciliation.
Enigma producer and Rolling Stones front man Mick Jagger turned out for the event and explained Kate’s absence with these words: “She’s not afraid of terrorism but she is afraid of the British press. She’s having a bit of a problem, I think, being in the limelight.”
The legendary rocker was accompanied to the premiere by his daughter, model Elizabeth Jagger, and Leah Wood, the daughter of Rolling Stones band mate Ronnie. Enigma co-star Saffron Burrows turned out as well for the festivities, and offered high praise for the 58-year-old star. “The unusual thing about Mick was that he was there,” she said. “Mick turned up… and stood around in fields getting wet.”
Scottish heart-throb Dougray Scott, who stars in the film alongside Brit Jeremy Northam, arrived with his wife Sarah Trevis. News of Dougray’s own marital woes surfaced just weeks ago and some speculated that he and Kate had struck up a romance. However, Dougray was the picture of wedded bliss on Monday evening, putting an end to such talk.
Director Michael Apted was also on hand, having just crossed the Atlantic. “I flew in from America last night,” said the celebrated filmmaker. “There is a great deal of strength of spirit there. New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani was telling people to go out and pick up their lives. And it is in that spirit that I introduce Enigma.”
Prince Charles attended the screening and gala event, which raised more than £100,000 for the Prince’s Trust.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
