Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped out at the premiere of a glamorous royal film on Thursday and for once it’s not the Duchess’s shoes that have everyone talking.
It looks like William pulled a leaf from his wife’s fashion book by paying small tributes to the events she attends through his wardrobe as he stepped out in a pair of personalized slippers embroidered with a tribute to the film by the night, Top Gun: Maverick.
William and Kate attended the special 75th Royal Film Performance which raised funds for The Film and TV Charity of which Queen Elizabeth II is patron. The couple came face-to-face with Hollywood royalty on the red carpet on Thursday night in the form of the film’s leading man, Tom Cruise.
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Cruise caused controversy online during the event after holding Kate’s hand as she climbed a series of stairs. Social media users wondered if Kate looked pleased with the offer or moved her clutch to her other hand following it to avoid repeating the move on the next flight of stairs.
Kate wore an elegant floor-length evening dress in black with a white banded neckline with black Prada pumps, but it was William’s shoe choice that stole the show.
Along with his velvet tuxedo and black tie, the prince sported a pair of velvet slippers with fighter jets embroidered on the toe. It was a humorous homage to the original Superior gun film centered on Cruise as a United States Navy fighter pilot.
William himself learned to fly during his time with the Royal Air Force and after his marriage flew rescue helicopters for the East Anglian Air Ambulance service.
The makers of the prince’s slippers are British shoe brand Crockett & Jones who said Newsweek:
“We can confirm the slippers are Crockett & Jones. Having the Royal Warrant for HRH Prince Charles meant we were gratefully approached to produce the slippers for HRH Prince William on this occasion, proudly turning the slippers over in just 2 weeks , usually a 2 month process. We have no choice but to jump in for such a prestigious client.”
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The Royal Warrant for the brand was given by Charles as the Official Footwear Supplier.
A royal warrant is an official seal of approval that can only be awarded by senior members of the royal family. At that time only the queen and Charles were able to grant them.
Businesses must regularly receive orders from the Royal Family in order to apply for a warrant and the process is strictly monitored by the Royal Warrants Association which oversees the process. In order to qualify for a mandate, members of the royal family must pay for their services, they cannot receive goods for free.
“It makes us very proud to be associated with such a wonderful and historic family,” said Crockett & Jones, “and to have two members of the Royal Family wear our shoes, just weeks before the Jubilee celebration, is nothing short of amazing.”
Although they pride themselves on their royal clientele, perhaps the most high-profile action hero who has worn their shoes is not the rescue helicopter pilot Prince, but legendary spy James Bond.
For the movie celestial fall Released in 2012, Daniel Craig wore four pairs of Crockett & Jones shoes during his portrayal of Ian Fleming’s Bond. The star was outfitted with shoes by the brand for the next two outings, including Craig’s finale in character. no time to die.
Crockett & Jones products are produced at their factory located in Britain’s historic shoemaking district of Northampton. The company is offering a special bespoke service like the one William enjoyed with prices starting at $935 (£750).
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At Top Gun: Maverick first, the prince won over a Cruise fan who told the Press Association after the event that the couple “have a lot in common. We both love England, and we’re both airmen, we love both fly.”
Cruise’s love for the Royal Family was demonstrated earlier this month when he wowed fans by acting as special guest host during the Platinum Jubilee equestrian tribute to the Queen. Speaking to ITV ahead of her appearance, Cruise said the 96-year-old monarch was a woman he admires, adding: “I think she’s someone who has immense dignity and I admire her dedication. “
“What she has achieved is historic…I have a lot of respect for her and when they asked me [me to take part in this event] I said instantly, ‘it would be an honor’ to be here.”
