William and Kate Join Tom Cruise on the 'Top Gun: Maverick' Red Carpet

Tom Cruise arrives in his helicopter at the premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick" 1:33

(CNN) --

British royalty and Hollywood royalty gathered on the red carpet for the benefit premiere of Tom Cruise's new movie "Top Gun: Maverick" on Thursday night.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were headliners as they arrived in London's Leicester Square ahead of a screening of the "Top Gun" sequel, in which Cruise reprises his most famous role nearly four decades later.

Kate shone in a timeless straight-cut crepe gown designed by Roland Mouret.

The fitted black suit was accentuated by a white sash across her shoulders and she completed the look with a black clutch bag and a pair of Robert Pelham star studded earrings.

Prince William complemented his wife's chic look by opting for a classic blue velvet tuxedo and showed his love of aviation with shoes embroidered with two airplanes.

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William and Kate greet Tom Cruise at the UK premiere of "Top Gun: Maverick."

(Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Paramount Pictures/Getty Images)

Cruise joined William and Kate on the red carpet and introduced them to his co-stars, Jennifer Connelly and Miles Teller, as well as the film's producer, Jerry Bruckheimer.

The royal couple seemed happy to be there, laughing and chatting on the red carpet before entering the screening.

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When the trio reached a short flight of stairs, Cruise immediately turned and offered his hand to the Duchess, who was walking beside him.

The return of Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Cruise returns to this role 36 years after the original "Top Gun" film was released in 1986. "Top Gun: Maverick," which is expected to hit U.S. theaters on May 27, features his character, US naval aviator Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, returning to the Top Gun academy to train fighter pilots.

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Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Prince William, Duchess of Cambridge Kate, Jerry Bruckheimer and Tom Cruise at the screening of "Top Gun: Maverick".

(Credit: David M. Bennett/WireImage/Getty Images)

The long-awaited film was initially due for release in July 2019, but was repeatedly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"(Prince William and I) have a lot in common. We both love England and we're both aviators, we both love to fly," Cruise told reporters before the dukes' arrival, according to

.

The event, known as the Royal Film Performance, was organized with the help of the Film and TV Charity, which helps people working behind the scenes in the UK film and TV industry.

This isn't the first time William and Kate have rubbed shoulders with Hollywood royalty.

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In September of last year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the premiere of the latest James Bond film, "No Time to Die", at the Royal Albert Hall in London together with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Kate dazzled onlookers in a floor-length gold gown by Jenny Packham and was photographed chatting with Daniel Craig, who looked dapper in a double-button cherry velvet tuxedo jacket from Anderson & Sheppard over a white shirt and bowtie black.

CNN's Stephy Chung and Leah Dolan contributed to this report.

Dukes of Cambridge Tom Cruise