The Prince of Wales attended the UK premiere of Second World War drama Charlotte Gray on Tuesday, meeting the film’s Australian star Cate Blanchett and a real-life resistance heroine.
Set in Nazi-occupied France at the height of the war, the film tells the story of a Scottish widow, played by Cate, drawn into the French Resistance in the hope of rescuing her lover, a captured RAF pilot.
Prince Charles was also introduced to Nancy Wake who actually fought with the French resistance and was one of several female agents who inspired the film. Nancy, 89, received the George Medal - the second highest gallantry award the British Crown can bestow after the George Cross – for her work.
At the Odeon Leicester Square screening in London, the Prince told her: “You were so brave and a great example. It’s lovely to meet you.”
Cate, wearing an embroidered ivory Christian Dior dress, spoke of her admiration for women such as Nancy before the première. “It is very humbling and a great honour to meet men and women who were so brave, you feel very grateful for all they did.”
The Australian actress, who gave birth to son Dashiell in December, added: “Working on the film made me realise that war is not something that only happened in the Forties and it just makes me pray that my son never has to go through what these people went through.”
Cate’s co-stars Michael Gambon and Rupert Perry-Jones also attended the screening, the proceeds of which will go to the Prince’s Trust charity to help disadvantaged children.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
