Queen ventures into snow to meet the Narnia stars

The third instalment of CS Lewis's much-loved Narnia saga got the Queen's seal of approval as she donned 3D glasses for its world premiere.

Fans of the adventures of the Pevensie family have to wait until the general release of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader next week to decide whether to give it the thumbs-up after the underwhelming reviews and poor box-office figures of the second film in the franchise.

When the Narnia films began five years ago there were high hopes for the series, but backers Disney pulled out following disappointing takings for Prince Caspian two years ago. The third movie was only made after 20th Century Fox stepped in.

Last night the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh defied the snow and cold to greet its cast, including Liam Neeson, who lends his voice to Aslan the lion, at Leicester Square.

Neeson said: "There's the whole essence of the first film, very touching, very moving and there's a lot of excitement there too."

20th Century Fox is said to be waiting to see
how the film performs before approving another sequel, but it has been modestly welcomed
by critics.