It was billed as one of the largest and most glamorous film premieres the country has seen.

And the bitterly cold temperatures failed to spoil the party as thousands packed London's Leicester Square, while the glitterati put style before comfort on the red carpet for the world premiere of the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace last night. Daniel Craig, who sliced off one of his fingertips during filming, had his arm in a sling after recent plastic surgery on an injury.

London may have experienced the big freeze, but Bond girl Gemma Arterton, who plays Agent Fields, was one of a number of stars who decided it was too big an occasion to contemplate keeping warm - preferring a thigh-revealing low cut purple dress. Sporting slick dinner jackets, Princes William and Harry gave Bond a run for his money.

The biggest cheer of the evening was reserved for the brothers, who were hosting their first Royal premiere.

Jack White, who co- performed the latest Bond song, Die Another Day, also donned a tuxedo for the occasion while Scots Olympic gold medal hero Chris Hoy sported a traditional kilt.