Princesses Meet Leonardo DiCaprio

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were the envy of teenage girls when they got up close and personal with movie hunk Leonardo DiCaprio.         

The royals met up with Hollywood star Leo at the UK premiere of his new film The Aviator in London's Leicester Square.

Their mother, the Duchess of York, also chatted to the star when they met at the Odeon.         

DiCaprio, 30, plays eccentric tycoon Howard Hughes in the biopic from director Martin Scorsese.         

The actor spent half an hour signing autographs for the 3,000-strong crowd.         

British actress Kate Beckinsale, who plays screen siren Ava Gardner, was also there - and admitted she misses her homeland.         

The 31-year-old looked stunning in a white and gold chiffon gown by designer Oscar de la Renta.         

Kate lives in Hollywood with director husband Len Wiseman but said she was delighted to be back in England.         

"It's so nice to be home - the thing I really miss is M&S," she said.         

Actress Cate Blanchett also attended the premiere, wearing a sheer black polka dot dress by Yves St Laurent. She plays Katharine Hepburn in the film.         

The Aviator charts the rise and fall of eccentric Hughes, the Hollywood director and aviation enthusiast.         

It has been tipped for success at February's Oscars after half a dozen Golden Globe nominations.