Dench and Smith star in post-war movie

Two dames of the acting world were among the audience at the royal premiere of the movie Ladies In Lavender in London.

Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith, both 69, appear in the film as sedate spinsters living in a post-war Cornish fishing village.

The pair, who have been friends for years and worked together on movies including A Room with a View and Tea With Mussolini, met the royal guest at the movie premiere, the Queen.

The two play sisters whose lives are turned around when they discover a handsome and charismatic Polish castaway, played by Daniel Bruhl, on the beach.

The film is the directorial debut of 58-year-old actor Charles Dance, best known for his roles as villains in films such as The Golden Child and Last Action Hero.