It was billed as the biggest premiere London has ever seen - but the VIP guests were restless.

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The screening of the new James Bond film last night was 90 minutes late, and some people started a slow handclap to express their displeasure.

But they were kept waiting because Princes William and Harry, both serving soldiers, used their appearance at the Quantum Of Solace premiere to pay tribute to Britain's real-life heroes.

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About 200 servicemen and women, veterans and their families had been invited to the screening in Leicester Square. William and Harry spent so much time with them that the film, starring Daniel Craig - due to start at 7.30pm - was delayed until 9pm.

Some members of the audience were shocked by the slow clapping because the princes were meeting war heroes, some of whom had lost limbs in combat. A source said: "Some people were slow clapping because the screening was late.

Even Bob Geldof shouted, 'Come on, get on with it! ' The audience started reading newspape r s, a f ew were snoring. When Daniel Craig came on stage it was clear he sensed the atmosphere, so he kept it brief and scurried off stage."

Beforehand, Harry was reunited with a Royal Marine he had trained alongside. Mark Ormrod, who lost both legs and an arm to a landmine, said: "It's great to see Harry again. He's just one of the lads."

The charity premiere was to benefit the Royal British Legion and Help For Heroes, where operations director Mark Elliot said of the audience: "They may not have been aware of what was going on outside and the fact the princes spent so long talking to us."

*Listen to this Friday's instalment of The London Entertainment Lowdown for red carpet interviews with Daniel Craig and the Bond stars.