Wed, 25 Nov 2009 5:27p.m.
Peter Jackson meets Prince Charles at the premiere (photo by David Dettmann)
By Kate Rodger
Prince Charles and Camilla brought the royal flesh to the world premiere of Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones at London's Leicester Square. Journalists had been led to believe the Queen would be there too, but it wasn't to be - at least in this lifetime.
It wouldn't be Leicester Square without its perennial guest of honour - the rain. Despite the November downpour, Jackson was stoked to be there, complete with jetlag.
This was quite an honour for Jackson - the only royal premiere of the year. While the Queen was sensible and went to the Caribbean, her son Charles ventured out with wife Camilla.
There is not a hobbit nor gorilla in sight this time around - for The Lovely Bones, Jackson returns almost to Heavenly Creatures territory.
Based on the best-selling Alice Sebold novel, it is the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old who is murdered and guides her fractured family from the afterlife, hunting for her killer, and for a way through their grief.
The film is packed with Oscar winners and nominees, all singing Jackson's praises.
Even Jackson's friends made the effort, including his Dambusters co-writer Stephen Fry.
Charles chatted with Jackson at length before the film, perhaps talking Middle Earth, or Skull Island, or maybe even The Lovely Bones.
But the one man more keen than the Prince on seeing the film is the director himself.
"Tonight will be interesting - very first time I've seen it with an audience, looking forward to seeing what the vibe in the room is gonna be like," says Jackson.
The royal premiere kicks off a global tour for the film, complete with a pitstop in Wellington on December 14. It opens in New Zealand on Boxing Day.
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