Sad coincidence: Prince William and Kate Middleton attend Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom premiere as the leader dies Watch a clip from the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, a chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Photo/Video: TWC The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for The Royal Film Premiere Performance of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom at Leicester Square. AS the world reeled from the announcement of Nelson Mandela's death, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge were sitting in a London theatre watching the premiere screening of the Mandela: The Long Walk to Freedom unaware of his death. In a sad irony, as the Royal Couple, along with Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela gathered to celebrate the film at the Odeon cinema in Leister Square, South African president Jacob Zuma announced Mandela had passed away in his home in Johannesburg at the age of 95. As the credits rolled on the autobiographical film, the audience were told the sad news of the anti-apartheid leader's passing. The audience held two minutes silence at the end of the film. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It's very sad," said Prince William after the event. We were just reminded of what an extroadinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was ... I just want to say it's extremely sad and tragic news. Skyfall actress Naomie Harris who plays Mandela's wife Winnie Madikizela in the film was also present along with Mandela's daughter Zindzi Mandela, who told The Mirror on the red carpet that her father was "fine but frail." He's 95-years-old and he is pretty frail. We are hoping to see more of him," she said of the former South African leader. Producer Harvey Wenistein and the show's lead actor Idris Elba were also present at the Royal Performance. Each year the Royal Film Performance is staged to raise funds for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, which supports industry employees and their families in times of hardship. Largely based on Mandela's autobiography of the same title, "Long Walk to Freedom," the film follows the leader's extraordinary life from childhood through to his 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island and, finally, his inauguration as the first democratically elected President of South Africa in 1994. From left to right, Tony Kgoroge, Naomie Harris, Zindzi Mandela, her sister Zenani, and Idris Elba pose for photographers at the UK Premiere of 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on Thursday Dec. 5, 2013 Source: AP The movie had "smashed" a South African box office record, becoming South Africa's all-time highest grossing picture after its opening last week. The film opened in the United States on November 29 and is seen as an Oscar contender with lead actor Idris Elba in the running for a best actor nomination. The film has been 16 years in the making. Mandela was never able to see the film. The 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' royal premiere held at the Odeon Leicester Square, London. Pictured: Zindzi Mandela.