"Alice" Stars Bow to the Prince

Written for CBSNews.com by London celebrity journalist Neil Sean.

Rain didn't keep Hathaway, Johnny Depp and other film stars from dazzling hundreds of fans who lined up along the soggy green carpet for a look at the stars and a glimpse of royalty.

"English fans are so used to the weather, they support you, come what may," Depp said, adding that, even so, he was stunned at the size of the crowd in the heavy rain.

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Depp also revealed he was nervous about the forthcoming meeting with Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

"I mean this is the big deal - real royalty," he said. "I am a huge fan of the English Royal family...they do a great job for the world."

Depp also admitted to touring a few London landmarks when he is in town.

"I may have done the Buckingham Palace tour a few times," he laughed. "I think you can't take it all in in one go and the history is so steeped in those places. It's great as a actor."

Hathaway wore a shimmering gold gown by Vivienne Westwood as she bowed to the prince and murmered that she hoped he would enjoy the movie.

Westwood also was the designer of choice for actress Helen Bonham Carter, who plays the Red Queen. Partner of the movie's director Tim Burton, she said she was nervous because their son was going to present a bouquet of flowers to the duchess.

"I am bag of nerves for him," she said, "yet he takes it all in his stride as only children can." Later, her eyes misted over as, bursting with pride, she watched her son step forward and hand the flowers off to the duchess.

At a royal film premiere, the director, stars and studio bosses line up in order of merit and wait to be presented to the royal guests. The color began to drain out of the faces of stars like Depp and Hathaway as they got a last-minute briefing from a royal aide.

"You address the Prince as sir and Camilla as ma'am," the aide explained, adding that eye contact is encouraged and one must never start the conversation before been spoken to. Ever the professional, Depp was heard repeating the instructions under his breath.

Then, all those lined up got mints for their breath, sanitizing gel for their hands, and the curtain went up on the royal review.