Mandela's death was announced in South Africa as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and two daughters of the country's former president, Zindzi and Zenani Mandela, sat down to watch the screening of Long Walk To Freedom, the movie based on his autobiography.
William and Kate were informed of his death discreetly by an aide shortly before the end of the film.
The news, which was revealed by South Africa's current president, Jacob Zuma, was then announced to stunned guests after the credits had rolled and a two minutes' silence held.
Speaking from the Odeon cinema, Prince William said: 'I just wanted to say it's extremely sad and tragic news.
'We were just reminded what an extraordinary and inspiring man Nelson Mandela was. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It's very sad.'
William and Kate leave the film premiere of Nelson Mandela's biopic moments after being told he had died
Kate pictured in her car leaving the film premiere in Leicester Square after being told of Mandela's death
Mandela's death was announced as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sat down to watch the screening of Long Walk To Freedom
The Royal couple looked ashen-faced
as they walked down the stairs into the foyer. Shortly after they left,
shocked members of the audience began emerging from the cinema, in
silence at first.It was not clear what had happened to Mandela's daughter, Zindzi.
She had appeared jovial and relaxed walking the red carpet outside in Leicester Square before the premiere started but inside, as William and Kate met dignitaries, she seemed to be overcome.
Her publicist waved away reporters, prompting speculation that she had received word that her father was close to death.
Zindzi Mandela, who was representing the family at the film premiere tonight and was told the news her father was fading just minutes before it was due to start.
Speaking to the Mail just moments earlier, she said of the film: 'It's something that makes me feel really proud, what my family went through and the role my father played has been recognised. It is a reward [for him].
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets Zindzi Mandela (right), daughter of former South African president Nelson Mandela
Unaware of Mandela's death: The Duchess of
Cambridge meets Zindzi Mandela (right), daughter of former South African
president Nelson Mandela, at the Royal Premiere of Mandela: Long Walk
to Freedom in London
Before the announcement: From left to right,
Tony Kgoroge, Naomie Harris, Zindzi Mandela, her sister Zenani, and
Idris Elba at the UK premiere of Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
The death of former South African president Nelson Mandela was announced during the UK premiere of a film about his life
'When we document our history in this manner we do it not just for ourselves but also for the future generations, young people that my father is really passionate about.
'He has seen clips of the film and said he saw [Idris] that he thought it was him.'
She added: 'When my 11 year-old grandson saw the movie last week I asked him what did he thought and he said 'the dude who played grandad when he talks he kind of reminds me of him'.
'I said: 'What about the lady who play big mammy? [Winnie Mandela]. He said: 'That chick, I think she's hot!' '
She then went into the cinema but, just moments later, was seen looking tearful and flustered as an aide helped her to sit down.
At the time it was thought she had been overcome by the emotion of the occasion but it now appears that she has just been given the sad news from South Africa.
Kate, 31, arrived wearing a dress by French designer Roland Mouret for the official 2013 Royal Film Performance in London.
Their four-month-old son, Prince George, remained home at Kensington Palace.
Kate arriving: The Duchess of Cambridge stunned at the Royal Film Performance but had no idea the star of the film had died
The gown by French designer Roland Mouret may
have been long sleeved but it featured a thigh-high split which showed
off her legs as she walked the red carpet
Before the announcement: Kate was joined at the
premiere by her husband Prince William, enjoying an evening off from
parenting duties
Another British actress, Skyfall’s Naomie Harris, plays the politician’s controversial wife, Winnie.
The film itself, which has been 16 years in the making, has received mixed reviews from critics, but Elba, who is best known for his role as a detective chief inspector in the hit TV series Luther, has been praised as ‘towering’ and ‘Oscar-worthy’.
Speaking on the red carpet last night he told Mail Online: 'Everyone knows who Mandela is, everyone has an idea of what he sounds and looks like. I worked really hard to pull in all the elements, from the sound of his voice to the way he walks. I don't look anything like him but it was really important the audience got a sense of who Mandela is because the likelihood is that we will never meet him in person.
Long walk: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stroll down the red carpet
As William and Kate stepped out, their four-month-old son, Prince George, remained home at Kensington Palace
Night out at the pictures: Prince William And Kate Middleton go to the cinema
Kate has worn the dress before - at a
private dinner in May 2012 when Prince William spoke to the 'Thirty
Club' at Claridges hotel
'For somone who doesn't look like Mandela you have got to work harder to get the audience in there.
'I think he [Mandela] has seen parts of the film but ultimately it's about his life, he's been there, he's done it - so he might not even need to see it.
'Tonight is extra special because this is my country and when the royals come out to watch a film it's. a big deal. I feel very proud that it's my film, really proud.'
At the start of the film Mr Mandela, 95, was believed to still be in a criticial condition after being hospitalised earlier this year with a recurring lung infection.
The Duchess of Cambridge's hair was swept back in a modern ponytail to show off her dramatic neckline to best effect
Arriving: Kate 'blinged' up her dress tonight with an eye-catching costume jewellery necklace
On Wednesday his daughter, Makaziwe Mandela, insisted he was ‘still with us, strong, courageous’ but admitted for the first time that he was on his 'deathbed’.
'Even for a lack of a better word... on his deathbed he is teaching us lessons - lessons in patience, in love, lessons of tolerance,’ she added.
'Every moment I get with him I'm amazed.
'There are times where I have to pinch myself that I come from this man who is a fighter even though you can see he is struggling, but the fighting spirit is still there with him.'
Kate appeared to be enjoying her night out at the pictures as she arrived with William
Zindzi Mandela, speaking before the start of the film, said: 'It's something that makes me feel really proud, what my family went through and the role my father played has been recognised. It is a reward [for him].
'When we document our history in this manner we do it not just for ourselves but also for the future generations, young people that my father is really passionate about.
'He has seen clips of the film and said he saw [Idris] that he thought it was him.'
Kate often favours going out in jewel tones so white is a deviation from the norm
Kate wore this jewel-encrusted necklace on her night out at Odeon Leicester Square
The Duchess of Cambridge took this little black bag to the screening of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
She added: 'When my 11 year-old grandson saw the movie last week I asked him what did he thought and he said 'the dude who played grandad when he talks he kind of reminds me of him'.
'I said: 'What about the lady who play big mammy? [Winnie Mandela]. He said: 'That chick, I think she's hot!''
Miss Harris, wearing a black bejewlled gown by one of the Duchess's favourite designers, Alexander McQueen, wasn't within earshot of the compliment but said earlier she was delighted that William and Kate were gracing the premiere.
Family affair: Nelson Mandela's daughter Zindzi
Mandela on the red carpet at the Royal film performance of Mandela: Long
Walk to Freedom
Stars of the film (pictured left) Idris Elba and
Naomie Harris, who plays Winnie Mandela, and (pictured right) producer
Anant Singh with Mandela's daughters Zenani (in red) and Zindzi Mandela
(right) arriving for the Royal Film Performance of Mandela: Long Walk to
Freedom
Idris Elba and Skyfall's Naomie Harris pose for the camera in London's Leicester Square
'I have met him before several times at the polo and I hear she is just as down to earth as him,' she said.
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.
As well as the film’s director and cast, the Duke and Duchess will meet a selection of the film’s trustees and beneficiaries.
Also benefitting from this year’s event is The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which works with the disadvantaged youth of South Africa
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