SpiceWorld - a right Royal swansong
Spice fans went wild at the premiere of the girls' £16m movie last night - wild for Prince William.
"William, we love you," they cried out to a blushing Prince, who attended the Spiceworld screening with his father, brother Harry and a minibus full of friends. About 7,000 fans turned out for the Leicester Square charity event, proceeds from which go to the Prince's Trust.
The Spice Girls, who wore identical pinstripe suits with plunging necklines, chatted with the young princes and joked with Prince Charles. Ginger Spice Geri cheekily announced: "Charles is our new manager." "I am very expensive," he shot back.
Critics' first reactions to Spiceworld were more favourable than had been expected.
The Evening Standard found the film energetic, witty and enjoyable...
The Daily Mail thought the film "high on energy, colour and costume changes, but weak on plot and low on genuine excitement.
The Guardian relished its "surprisingly post-modern flavour, with excellent cameo roles from Stephen Fry and, unlikely as it sounds, a groovy performance by the newsreader Peter Sissons".
© Associated Newspapers Ltd., 16 December 1997