The Prince of Wales cut an elegant figure at the BAFTAs in London this afternoon, arriving alone 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 dapper figure in his signature navy velvet suit jacket and bow tie as he waved to the crowd gathered outside the Royal Festival Hall .
Looking relaxed, the heir to the throne posed for selfies with fans and chatted with well-wishers as he walked the red carpet.
Once inside, Prince William took his seat alongside Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett before the start of the awards ceremony, hosted this year by David Tennant.
The star-studded event saw a host of celebrities descend on the South Bank, with Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh dressing in their finest for the British film event.
The Prince opted for a navy velvet tuxedo, dickie bow and black patent brogues for the most glamorous night in 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 brilliant as she arrived at the film evening on the South Bank.
Later that night, Prince William shook hands with David Beckham.
Tonight marks the first high-profile royal engagement William has attended since the Princess of Wales underwent a major operation last month, and the news of his father’s cancer diagnosis.
It was initially thought he would miss the ceremony, which he normally attends with Kate, but the Prince appeared set to represent the royal family at the event.
The mother-of-three had surgery on January 16 at the London Clinic and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with her three children.
Protagonist: William walks the red carpet, where he will address the audience as president of the BAFTAs
Once inside, Prince William took a seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett before the awards ceremony began.
A hug for Cate: Blanchett puts her arm on the Prince of Wales’s shoulder as the couple greet each other
Greetings from Wills: Prince William pictured at BAFTAs 2024; The royal, who has been president of the Academy since 2010, was pictured chatting to the crowd gathered at the Royal Festival Hall this evening.
The prince and the famous footballer chatted for a while inside the Royal Albert Hall
Since the royal health announcements, which also included his father the King’s unspecified cancer diagnosis and separate prostate treatment, William has attended few events.
Earlier this month he gave a speech at a charity event in London to raise funds for London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s new fleet of helicopters.
Christopher Nolan’s epic biopic about atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer is expected to be a big winner at the Baftas after Oppenheimer received 13 nominations.
Selfies: William appeared to lean in to pose for selfies with fans as he arrived at the event.
A movie buff’s handshake; The Prince is likely to have answered questions about the health of his wife and his father.
Flanked by tight security, the Prince enters the iconic London building; He has traditionally attended the event accompanied by his wife, the Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales glanced skyward as he prepared to take his seat.
A handsome prince: William greets his well-wishers; Hundreds of people gathered at the event to catch a glimpse of royalty and some of the film industry’s biggest stars.
Sharp! The Prince, dressed in a suit and boots, cut an elegant figure as he arrived at the awards ceremony.
BBC footage of Prince William arriving at the Royal Festival Hall; The Prince will attend without Kate Middleton, who is still recovering from surgery at her home.
William has been president of the Baftas since 2010 and Kate first attended the event with her husband in 2017.
At last year’s event, Kate Middleton She opted for a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress for the occasion, which she first wore at the event in 2019.
For his outfit, William kept it classic and simple with a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket.
After the awards ceremony, the couple chatted animatedly with stars, including Sex Education’s Austin and Emma Mackey, as well as the event’s host, Alison Hammond.
Last year: Prince William and Kate Middleton photographed at the BAFTA Awards in 2023
William has taken on a new role in royal public life since his father’s cancer diagnosis became known, and is expected to stand in for the king at several upcoming events.
Charles has postponed all his public-facing duties, but continues behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state documents.
The Queen has been carrying out her royal diary of engagements and last week said her husband was doing “extremely well given the circumstances”.
He said the King, who underwent his first cancer treatment last week, had been “very touched” by all the messages of support he has received from the public.
The King and Queen arrived as downpours lashed London and Charles was pictured greeting well-wishers.
Charles’ diagnosis came after spending three nights in a private London hospital where he was treated for an enlarged prostate.
The Prince of Wales may step in to represent his father at events and it has been reported that William and his family will spend the term at his Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, which is on the King’s Sandringham estate.