Prince William and Catherine Princess of Wales Step Out at BAFTAs as Royal Tensions Simmer Behind Palace Doors

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Prince William and Princess Catherine attended the BAFTA Film Awards in London on Sunday. They arrived at the Royal Festival Hall and walked the red carpet, but didn’t make any statements to the press before going inside.

William looked sharp in a classic black tuxedo, and Catherine wore a beautiful long pink gown. It wasn’t known for sure if they would be there. Event organizers said there hadn’t been any advance notice about whether Prince William, who has been president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010, would attend the ceremony this year.

Prince William and Princess Kate of Wales arriving at the #BAFTA Film Awards

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 22, 2026

I was so happy to see Catherine back at the awards this year! They had to miss it last year, and in 2024, William went alone while she was recovering from surgery. We later found out it was related to cancer, which was a really difficult time, I’m sure. Before this year, the last time she’d been at the ceremony was back in 2023. It’s wonderful to see her doing better and able to attend again.

The news arrives as the royal family is already facing challenges. Last week, Prince William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested and accused of wrongdoing while in public office. He could potentially receive a life sentence if found guilty, and the arrest has been widely reported throughout the UK.

Even with everything happening, senior members of the royal family continued with their planned public appearances. King Charles III went to London Fashion Week, and Princess Anne visited a prison in Leeds. Many believe this demonstrates the family’s commitment to carrying on with their regular responsibilities.

Everyone was wondering if the BAFTAs would address the recent scandal with some jokes, and that brought back memories of 2020. Rebel Wilson actually made some playful comments about the royals while Prince William and Kate were sitting right there! This year, though, things are a bit different. Our host, Alan Cumming, famously returned his royal honor back in 2023, explaining it was connected to the Queen’s passing and the discussions that followed about what the monarchy even does. So, while it would be tempting, most sources say he won’t be bringing up the current situation during the show.

The ceremony drew a star-studded crowd, with notable attendees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, and Chloe Zhao.

William’s attendance at the BAFTAs highlights his ongoing connection to the academy. Despite recent difficulties for the royal family, the couple’s appearance showed that they intend to continue carrying out their official responsibilities as scheduled.

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2026-02-22 22:44