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Prince William left film fans in disbelief when he arrived at the BAFTAs in London tonight after admitting he is yet to see box office sensation Barbie.
The Prince of Wales, 42, arrived alone at tonight’s awards ceremony, where he apologized for the Princess of Wales’s absence as she continues to recover at her family home following her abdominal surgery.
The heir, who has been chairman of the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2010, was seen happily posing for photographs with members of the public as he walked the red carpet.
The Prince, who cut an elegant figure in his signature navy velvet suit jacket and bow, greeted the award organizers and told them: “I’m sorry Catherine isn’t here, she loves the BAFTAs.”
William, who has been focusing on his family following his wife’s medical procedure and his father King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, said he had not seen as many nominated films as usual and admitted he had “other things on his mind.” “.
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 Prince apologized for his wife’s absence as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. Pictured: Prince William and Kate Middleton at the BAFTA Awards in 2023
Prince William admitted he had yet to see box-office sensation Barbie, explaining that he “hopes to catch up soon.”
The father of three added that he is “looking forward to catching up” and will watch the films with his recovering wife.
Film fans who had queued outside the Royal Festival Hall were delighted to learn that the Prince had seen Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, but were shocked to discover that he had not yet seen Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, starring Margot Robbie.
“I haven’t seen Barbie yet,” the Prince admitted, and his excited fans told him: “You have to see her.”
Once inside, the Prince took a seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett as they prepared to watch the ceremony hosted this year by David Tennant.
A host of celebrities arrived on London’s South Bank this afternoon with Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh among those making a dazzling appearance.
Tonight’s awards mark the first high-profile royal engagement Prince William has made since his wife’s major operation and his father’s diagnosis.
Earlier this month he gave a speech at a charity engagement in London to raise funds for London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s new helicopter fleet earlier this month.
It was thought he might miss the ceremony, where he usually appears on Kate’s arm, but the Prince wanted to continue with his duties and represent the Royal Family at the prestigious event.
The 42-year-old royal walks the carpet alone at the Royal Festival Hall ahead of tonight’s ceremony.
Cate Blanchett puts her arm on the Prince of Wales’s shoulder as the couple greet each other.
Kate underwent surgery on January 16 at the London clinic and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with her three children.
Tonight’s ceremony marks the 77th annual awards, and Nolan’s atomic bomb biopic is expected to be a big winner after receiving 13 nominations.
Prince William has been a patron for 14 years and his wife first attended the event with her husband in 2017.
At last year’s event, Kate Middleton opted for a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress for the occasion, which she first wore to the event in 2019.
For his outfit, William kept it classic and simple with a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket.