The Prince of Wales cut a commanding figure at the BAFTAs in London tonight, arriving solo for the biggest night in British cinema – as the Princess of Wales continues to recover from her abdominal surgery at the family home.
Prince William, 42, who has been president of the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2010, cut a sharp figure in his signature navy blue velvet suit jacket and large bow tie as he greeted the crowd gathered outside the Royal Festival Hall.
The heir apparent looked relaxed, posing for selfies with fans and chatting with well-wishers as he strolled down the red carpet.
Once inside, Prince William took his seat next to Hollywood royalty – Cate Blanchett – before the awards ceremony, hosted this year by David Tennant, began.
The star-studded event saw a host of A-listers descend on the South Bank, with Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh donning their finery for the British film event.
The Prince opted for a navy blue velvet tuxedo jacket, bow tie and patent black brogues for the most glamorous evening on the British film calendar
The 42-year-old royal walks the carpet alone at the Royal Festival Hall ahead of tonight’s ceremony
The royal looked dashing as he arrived for movie night on the South Bank
Later in the evening, Prince William shook hands with David Beckham
Tonight marks the first high-profile royal engagement William has attended since the Princess of Wales underwent major surgery last month, and news of his father’s cancer diagnosis.
It was initially thought he would miss the ceremony, which he usually attends with Kate, but the Prince appeared keen to represent the royal family at the event.
The mother-of-three underwent surgery at the London Clinic on January 16 and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with their three children.
Protagonist: William strides down the red carpet, where he will address the audience as President of BAFTA
Once inside, Prince William took his seat next to Hollywood royalty – Cate Blanchett – before the awards began
A hug for Cate: Blanchett places her arm on the Prince of Wales’ shoulder as the pair greet each other
A wave of Wills: Prince William pictured at the 2024 BAFTAs; the royal, who has been president of the Academy since 2010, was pictured tonight chatting to the crowd gathered at the Royal Festival Hall
The prince and the famous footballer chatted for a while at the Royal Albert Hall
Since the royal health announcements, which also included his father’s unspecified cancer diagnosis and separate prostate treatment, William has attended few events.
He spoke earlier this month at a charity event in London to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s new helicopter fleet.
Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic of atomic bomb maker J. Robert Oppenheimer is expected to be a big winner at the Baftas after Oppenheimer received 13 nominations.
Selfies: William appeared to lean over to pose for selfies with fans as he arrived at the event
A handshake from a film fan; the prince probably asked questions about both his wife and his father’s health
Flanked by tight security, the prince walks into the London landmark; he has traditionally attended the event with his wife, the Princess of Wales
The Prince of Wales glanced up at the sky as he prepared to take his seat
A dapper prince: William waves to well-wishers; hundreds gathered at the event to catch a glimpse of the royal family and some of the film industry’s biggest stars
Sharp! The prince, in a suit and boots, cut a dashing figure as he arrived for the awards ceremony
BBC footage of Prince William arriving at the Royal Festival Hall; the prince is present without Kate Middleton, who is still recovering from surgery at home
William has been president of Bafta since 2010 and Kate first attended the event with her husband in 2017.
At last year’s event, Kate Middleton For the occasion, she opted for a one-shoulder dress from Alexander McQueen, which she first wore to the 2019 event.
For his outfit, William kept it classic and simple in a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket.
After the awards ceremony, the couple chatted animatedly with the stars, including Austin and Sex Education’s Emma Mackey, and the event’s host, Alison Hammond.
Last year: Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured at the 2023 BAFTA Awards
William has taken on a new role in public royal life since news of his father’s cancer diagnosis, and is expected to stand in for the king at a number of upcoming events.
Charles has postponed all public duties, but continues to work behind the scenes on his red boxes of government papers.
The Queen has kept her royal diary of engagements and said last week that her husband was doing “extremely well under the circumstances”.
She said the king, who underwent his first cancer treatment last week, was “very touched” by all the messages of support he has received from the public.
The King and Queen arrived as downpours swept London and Charles was photographed waving to well-wishers.
Charles’ diagnosis followed three nights in a private hospital in London, where he was treated for an enlarged prostate.
The Prince of Wales could step in to represent his father at events and it has been reported that William and his family are spending half their holidays at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on the King’s Sandringham estate.