Hollywood royalty meet the real thing - and can't compete

Hollywood royalty met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a glittering Bafta dinner - and were left in their shade.

William and Kate outshone the stars of Tinsel Town who came out in support of British creative talent.

Some of the biggest names working in Los Angeles, from Tom Hanks to Barbra Streisand, were received by the world's most famous newlyweds.

The royal couple have become the toast of California after jetting into America on Friday for a whirlwind three-day visit, which comes after a successful tour of Canada.

Jennifer Lopez, Jack Black and James Gandolfini were also among the guests at the reception and black-tie banquet held at the 1920s art deco Belasco theatre in central LA.

British celebrities were represented by Stephen Fry, Cat Deeley and Gordon Ramsay.

But the loudest screams on the night from the hundreds waiting against crash barriers outside the theatre came when the Duke and Duchess arrived.

The Duchess looked stunning in a lavender-coloured dress by Alexander McQueen and a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.

The world famous actors who would normally draw large crowds in their own right appeared to be excited at the prospect of meeting the royals.

Before a reception in the theatre's ballroom on Saturday night, Duncan Kenworthy, the Academy's vice-president and one of Britain's leading producers, told the celebrities and other guests in the room to "be cool" and not to rush at the royals when they came in, but the couple proved a big draw.

Moulin Rouge star Nicole Kidman summed up the mood towards the Duke and Duchess when she said: "I think they are lovely. I just got off the phone to my mum and she said 'I'm so glad you're going, you're Australian' - they just make you smile."

Prince William is president of Bafta - the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - and the organisation hosted the evening to highlight the range and depth of British talent in film, television and video games.

Forty-two emerging Brits were selected to attend the event to introduce them to the "movers and shakers" in Hollywood.

In a speech to the guests, the Duke said: "As president of Bafta, I am immensely proud of the success Brits have had in the fiercely competitive world of film, television and video games.

"Their creative and hi-tech achievements have contributed greatly to our national wealth, not to mention our personal pleasure.

"Tonight I celebrate them: but I particularly celebrate the fact that, hard on their heels, comes another wave of enormously talented Brits, whom you have the chance to meet this evening.

"They deserve equal success and, with your help, will surely achieve it."

The royal couple later chatted to the 42 up-and-coming directors, actors, producers, cinematographers and video game designers before sitting down to dinner.

When the Duke and Duchess walked into the theatre's main auditorium, 27 tables were lavishly decorated in front of them.

The first and only table they stopped at was one where Hanks, Fry and Gandolfini were sitting.

The Duchess chatted at length to the Sopranos star, as did William but the other celebrities and guests around them did not get a chance to speak to the royals.

When the royals took their seats at the main table, despite the fact Streisand and Kidman were sitting opposite, they appeared engrossed in their own company.

Kidman stuck her hand across the table by way of a re-introduction following her brief meeting with the royals in the ballroom.

Streisand also made the first move but had to get past a large lamp to shake hands with the royals.

Dinner staff in bowler hats, Union flag-inspired outfits and Edwardian-style waistcoats gave the night a British feel.

And the guests drank from gold rimmed glasses and ate from antique-style plates at tables dressed with blooms of dahlias and roses.

The menu blended British tradition with a touch of California cuisine.

The royal tour of California was due to end last night when the couple were set to attend a private reception for the American branch of Tusk Trust, a conservation charity of which the prince is patron.

Earlier the Duke of Cambridge played polo in front of the cream of Californian society - and joked how his father and brother would be green with envy.

He praised the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club before he took to the field for a charity tournament in front of celebrities including Billy Zane, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rob Lowe and Joe Jonas from the group the Jonas Brothers.

The Duke's team emerged victorious in the fund-raising polo tournament and the second-in-line to the throne showed his skills on the field by scoring four goals.

Waiting on the sidelines was his wife, who had been given the honour of presenting the winning trophy.

As the Duchess handed over the cup, she kissed the Duke on both cheeks in a rare public show of affection.

The royal couple have only been seen to kiss in public on two previous occasions, famously on the Buckingham Palace balcony on their wedding day and privately when they were caught by a photographer canoodling in a car park.