Kate Winslet last night declined to appear at her latest film's premiere, citing the pressure of her recent marriage breakdown.

She pulled out of the Royal premiere of Enigma just a few hours before it was due to begin because of "recent personal events" and the need for some time "out of the spotlight".

Her public appearance at the screening of the second world war thriller about the Bletchley Park code-breakers would have been her first since the news that she and her film director husband Jim Threapleton were to separate.

The pair - who have an 11-month-old daughter, Mia - have given no reason for their decision.

An appearance at last night's London premiere, attended by Prince Charles, would have exposed her to relentless questioning about her personal life.

She said in a statement: "I'm very sorry not to be there to celebrate the premiere of Enigma, of which I'm very proud, and also to pay my respects to those lives lost in the recent tragedy in New York."

Mick Jagger, whose company produced the film, was among celebrities at the Odeon Leicester Square. Others included the film's stars Dougray Scott and Saffron Burrows.