Injured Craig impresses at Bond premiere

Daniel Craig arrived at the Royal World Premiere of Quantum of Solace last night looking every inch James Bond - except for the fact his right arm was in a sling.

Dressed to kill in a black tuxedo, Craig was mobbed by excited fans.

Hundreds gathered in London's Leicester Square, braving the cold for a chance to glimpse their hero.

Some had waited all day, also hoping to spot Princes William and Harry at their first Royal Premiere.

In a sea of flash lights, Craig waved to the crowd and spent several minutes signing autographs, after arriving in a silver Mercedes.

Craig posed for pictures with his long-time partner Satsuki Mitchell, who was wearing a sparkling floor-length purple dress.

Dame Judi Dench was the first big name star to walk the red carpet, dressed in a glamorous low cut black dress.

She turned in front of the cameras to reveal a 007 stuck in glitter on the back of her neck. Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, as well as director Marc Forster, also arrived to be greeted by an excited crowd.

Quantum of Solace is the 22nd Bond movie in the series, with Craig reprising the role he took up in Casino Royale.

The secret agent mixes revenge and duty after the death of his girlfriend, Vesper Lynd, who was blackmailed into betraying him.

New Bond girl Olga Kurylenko arrived on the red carpet wearing a dramatic red dress which plunged to the floor. The Ukrainian born 28-year-old turned and waved coquettishly to the cameras.

Jack White, who co-performed the latest Bond song, Die Another Day, also donned a tuxedo for the occasion.

The premier has been billed as one of the largest the country has ever seen.

And Leicester Square was transformed with giant screens and speakers belting out Bond themes old and new.

Glamorous women were in abundance at the premiere, including model Elle Macpherson.

But not to be outdone was 22-year-old British actress Gemma Arterton, who plays Agent Fields.

The St Trinian's star wore a revealing purple dress, cut low at the front but flowing at the back.

Robbie Coltrane, who starred in Goldeneye, said the latest 007 film was "fantastic".

Other big names to walk the red carpet included Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne and Olympic swimmer Mark Foster.

Mohamed al Fayed, who has recently been dogged by controversy after being questioned by police in relation to an assault on a teenage girl, arrived without a black tie, wearing a striped shirt and flowing jacket.

Actor Robbie Coltrane said: "I'm so looking forward to the film. I'm a very big Bond fan.

"I have done two Bond films.

"I'm here to give a bit of support to Barbara Broccoli."

Speaking on the red carpet, Craig said that he felt Bond had a good sense of humour in this film.

"I think he's hilarious. I think he gets into extraordinarily funny situations."

Craig who was with his partner Ms Mitchell, was then asked who his favourite Bond girl was.

He replied: "I can't say. The one on my arm of course."

He described seeing himself on screen as James Bond as "incredible".

The biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for Princes William and Harry, who arrived wearing dinner jackets.

They walked straight onto the red carpet to meet 200 invited servicemen, veterans and their families.

William and Harry have asked for the event to help support two charities, the Royal British Legion and Help The Hero.

Dame Judi Dench, who plays M in the film, said she enjoyed her role.

She said: "The character of her is strong and bossy. I don't like being in an office all the time."

She was then asked whether she preferred working with Craig or Pierce Brosnan.

She said: "I can't choose, they have both got a huge sense of humour. You must not take yourself too seriously."

When she was asked what direction she thought future Bond films would take, she replied: "He will move with the times."

Director Marc Forster said this will probably be his last Bond film.

"I was happy to make Quantum of Solace. They asked me to do the next one. I was very honest. I passed because I'm working on something else."

Olga Kurylenko, who plays Camille, was not disappointed that there is little romantic interaction between herself and Bond in the film.

"It's not about that. It's a different story. It's told a different way."

She added that she enjoyed working with Daniel Craig. She said: "He was very good and very supportive."

Inside the Odeon cinema, the Princes spent almost half an hour greeting cast and crew.

Afterwards Bond girl Gemma Arterton said: "I had a nice chat. They are lovely guys, really charismatic and polite. We had a giggle."

During the meet-and-greet Arterton was seen clearly enjoying her time with the Princes.

It took 20 minutes before Prince Harry reached her, and he joked: "What took us so long to get down this end?"

Responding to a compliment from Prince William, Arterton said: "That's great, that's very touching."

Craig, who earlier in the evening had shaken hands with people using his left hand, removed his discreet sling to chat with the Princes.

He was asked how the injury was doing and said doctors had "stitched it back up" and it was on the mend.

Olga Kurylenko, with a beaming smile, told Prince William how she had "got muscly" while training for the film.

But looking slim in her red dress she explained she had now lost the additional weight.

The Princes were introduced to the stars by the producers, and were in good spirits laughing and joking as they made their way round. Prince Harry said it was "fantastic to be here" and enquired whether it was a good film.

Rock and roll star Jack White nodded and smiled respectfully as he met the royal brothers.

Before the Princes arrived the cast members chatted excitedly together.

Speaking about her red carpet experience, Arterton told Craig: "That was frightening but it was all right wasn't it?

"I was coming out with some real gems tonight, really awful."

New Bond villain Mathiew Amalric, who plays billionaire environmentalist Dominic Greene in the film, tugged at his jacket and told Craig: "I forgot my belt. I put it in my bag."

He said he hoped the Princes would not notice.

Several of the stars, including Dame Judi Dench, asked the Princes how they had enjoyed their recent motorcycle ride across South Africa.