Prince William.Photo:Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty
Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty
Prince Williamarrived at the 2024BAFTAson Sunday without his wifeKate Middleton.
The Prince of Wales, 41, walked the red carpet solo at the 77th EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London as the Princess of Wales continues her recovery from last month’sabdominal surgery.
Prince William, who has been president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010, wore a navy velvet tuxedo jacket with black lapels, paired with black trousers, a bow-tie and a crisp white shirt.
On Friday, Kensington Palaceconfirmed Prince William’s attendanceat the event.
“The Prince, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will watch the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees,” the statement said.
Prince William.Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty
The pair even had a moment that went viral, as cameras captured Princess Kate giving her husband aplayful pat on the butt.
Prince William (left) and David Beckham.Jordan Pettitt - WPA Pool/Getty
Ted LassostarHannah Waddinghamwill also deliver a live music performance, whileSophie Ellis-Bextorwill perform her iconic hit “Murder on the Dancefloor” from nomineeSaltburn, which is up forfive awardsin total.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the 2023 BAFTAs.Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince William’s appearance at the ceremony comes after he took a week off from royal duties to look after Princess Kate and their three children —Prince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5 — during the kids’ half-term vacation from school.
PEOPLE reported last week that Kate hadleft Windsor Castle for the first timesince her “planned” surgery on Jan. 16 to join William and their children at their country home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, which is about 140 miles from Windsor.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at the 2023 BAFTAs.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Prince William’s week off followed abrief return to public dutiesthat had been postponed due to his wife’s surgery on Feb. 7. The engagements were also the first appearances William had made since his fatherKing Charles’cancer diagnosiswas revealed two days prior.
A friend recently told PEOPLE of William, “He iscoping remarkably wellconsidering his wife had surgery and he only found out his father’s news recently.”
Kensington Palace revealed the news of Princess Kate’s surgery in a statement shared on Jan. 17. “The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery,” the statement read. “Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”
PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous.
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Prince William and Princess Kate’s appearance at last year’s BAFTAs was the first time the couple had attended the ceremony in two years. In 2021,William pulled out of an appearance at the BAFTAsfollowing his grandfatherPrince Philip’sdeathat the age of 99 on Apr. 9, while in 2022, it was announced that both William and Katewouldn’t attend the awards ceremonydue to diary constraints.
Prince Philip was the first president of the academy.
Ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, BAFTA Executive Director of Awards & Content Emma Baehr said in a release, “It is a privilege to welcome so many nominees to the EE BAFTA Film Awards this Sunday, representing some of the best on-screen and behind-the-screen creative talent working in film today who have provided audiences worldwide with an incredible year of film. It is a joy to bring these 38 remarkable films and the teams that made them to public attention.
Baehr continued, “With host David Tennant bringing his charm and charisma to the ceremony, and performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hannah Waddingham, it promises to be an entertaining show for all our nominees and guests at the Royal Festival Hall and the millions of people watching at home around the world.”
The 2024 BAFTA Awards are being held at the Royal Festival Hall in London and streaming on BritBox in the U.S.
source: people.com
