SUPERSPY James Bond is to get the royal seal of approval when the latest film of 007's adventures receives its world premiere.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will join the stars of Skyfall at the event at the Royal Albert Hall.

It will benefit real members of the security services after Charles asked for the screening to support charities that help members of the three intelligence agencies - the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the Security Service (MI5) and GCHQ.

The movie - the 23rd in the series - sees Daniel Craig assume the role of 007 for a third time.

Craig was born at the Chester of Chester Hosptial and eduacted at Hilbre High school in West Kirby where he first took to the stage, acting in school plays.

He will be joined on the red carpet by other members of the cast including Dame Judi Dench, who returns as M, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe and Ben Whishaw.

Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes will also stride the red carpet. Mendes has promised fans an "epic" film when Skyfall hits cinema screens.

He said the superspy would be a "three-dimensional" character and hinted the film could almost match On Her Majesty's Secret Service, which at 142 minutes is the longest Bond film yet.

He told Total Film: "As the movie progresses, it gets more epic.

"I loved the scale of it. I think there is a possibility that I put everything I've ever wanted to put in a Bond movie into this movie."

The Bond movies are celebrating a half century this year and Skyfall's premiere comes just over a fortnight after the 50th anniversary of the first Bond film, Dr No, received its world premiere on October 5 1962.

Craig was cast in the role in 2005 following a two-year search for the right man to play the womanising hero, made famous by actors Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan, producers ruled out Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor.

But the man who succeeded Pierce Brosnan as the Martini-drinking spy with a licence to kill made a reluctant entrance to the acting profession as a pupil at Hilbre High School, Newton.

He was only "discovered" by his drama teacher, Hilary Green, as he accompanied a friend to an audition for the school musical Oliver.

Recalling her first contact with Craig as a 14-year-old, Hilary - now an accomplished author - said in 2005: "Daniel had come in with a friend and he had no intention of auditioning. The music teacher Phyllida Milne and I said he would make a great Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker.

"He was quite exceptional. He is a wonderful character actor. He really steps into the skin of the character."

On his Bond role, Hilary said: "I think he will be very good and he'll be quite different. I think he'll be much grittier.

"The recent interpretations of Bond have been quite fantastic and more comedy acting. I think Daniel will make James Bond more realistic and much more believable."

For a short time he joined Calday Grammar sixth form, before heading for the bright lights of London.

At 19 he studied alongside Ralph Fiennes and Ewan McGregor at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Since his first major role as Geordie Peacock in the BBC drama Our Friends in the North, Daniel has starred opposite several of Hollywood's most glamorous leading ladies including Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider, and as poet Ted Hughes to Gwyneth Paltrow's Sylvia Plath in the film Sylvia.

Craig's mother Carol Blond - who still lives in Hoylake - revealed her joy at Daniel's success. "I could not be happier," she said. "I am absolutely delighted. It is really lovely for him and I am very proud."