Flying solo at the BAFTAs: Prince William heads to star-studded film awards without the Princess of Wales – as Kate continues her recovery from abdominal surgery
The Prince of Wales will attend the Bafta film awards in London alone tonight as the Princess of Wales continues to recover from abdominal surgery.
William, chairman of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta), is attending his first high-profile royal engagement since his wife's surgery last month.
It was initially thought he would miss the event at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall, but it is believed he is keen to represent both himself and his wife.
Last year he attended the ceremony with the Princess of Wales, where they met award winners Cate Blanchett, Austin Butler and Emma Mackey.
Kate underwent surgery at the London Clinic on January 16 and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with their three children.
Since the royal health announcements, which also included his father's unspecified cancer diagnosis and his father's separate prostate treatment, William has attended few events – but he will attend the BAFTAs tonight, without Kate by his side (the couple who attended last year was in the photo). event)
Date night on hold: The couple has made an appearance at the award show in previous years, an annual night out (pictured in 2023)
Since the royal health announcements, which also included his father's unspecified cancer diagnosis and his father's 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.
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.
The Prince of Wales grinned as he waved to royal fans waiting for the couple along the red carpet (photo: 2023 ceremony)
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who regularly attend the BAFTA Awards, spoke to Krishnendu Majumdar, Chairman of BAFTA, at the 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.
It comes as King Charles returned to London for a short period for further cancer treatment following his diagnosis earlier this month.
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”.
King Charles returned to London this week for further cancer treatment after his first public appearance at Sandringham
Charles seemed in good spirits on Sunday morning as he attended a church service at the Sandringham estate almost a week after his cancer diagnosis
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 their six-month stay at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, on the King's Sandringham estate.
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.
Cillian Murphy, who played the titular role of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy, who played the titular role in Oppenheimer, will go up against fellow Irish star Barry Keoghan, who has been nominated for his leading role in Emerald Fennell's viral black comedy Saltburn, in the best actor category.
Also expected to attend are Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan, who are both nominated for their roles in Cooper's Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, and Colman Domingo, who is nominated for Rustin, where he plays the man who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others in organizing the film. 1963 March on Washington.
Mulligan's Best Actress competes with Margot Robbie, who is nominated for Barbie; Emma Stone, For Poor Things; Sandra Huller, for Anatomy of a Fall; Fantasia Barrino, for The Color Purple and Vivian Oparah, known for the British romantic comedy Rye Lane, will also be present at the awards ceremony.
The ceremony will also include a live musical performance from Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, while Sophie Ellis-Bextor will sing her 2001 hit Murder On The Dancefloor, which enjoyed huge popularity after being featured in the closing moments of Saltburn.
The EE Bafta film awards will be presented by Doctor Who star David Tennant at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, February 18.
The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer from 7pm.