Robert De Niro and Grace Hightower made rare red carpet appearance together at Cannes Film Festival

Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower made a rare red carpet appearance together at Cannes Film Festival on Friday.

It was an occasion of great sentimental value for Robert De Niro, a screening of his 1984 classic Once Upon A Time In America.

The cast, including Jennifer Connelly and James Woods, came together at the Film Festival to watch a re-cut and restored version of the film by Sergio Leone.

Grace Hightower looked proud at Robert De Niro’ side, and the pair kept their arms around each other for much of the evening.

Robert De Niro and his wife Grace Hightower made a rare red carpet appearance together at Cannes Film Festival on Friday

The couple welcomed a new baby girl Helen Grace via a surrogate in December.

Robert De Niro has four other children – daughter Drena, 40, and son Raphael, 35, with former wife Diahnne Abbott, as well as 16-year-old twin sons Julian and Aaron, born via surrogate with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith.

The actor and Grace Hightowerhave been married for almost 14 years but are rarely photographed together, choosing to keep their relationship out of the spotlight.

Robert De Niro hosted the screening, and said at the event: “This brings back the incomparable memories of working with the great Sergio Leone.”

“I remember it as one of the longest movies I ever worked on – I don’t think Sergio ever wanted to finish it,” Robert De Niro joked.

Ennio Morricone’s original score played as Robert De Niro climbed the steps of the festival palace to introduce the movie, restored by Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation.

Robert De Niro introduced his co-stars James Woods and Elizabeth McGovern as well as 83-year-old Ennio Morricone, who earned a standing ovation.