February 11, 2025: Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, will not be attending the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) this Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Kensington Palace confirmed on Monday that the royal couple will be absent, although Prince William is expected to make a pre-recorded appearance during the ceremony.
This marks the second time in recent years that the couple has missed the prestigious event. Prince William, who has been the president of BAFTA since 2010, will continue his royal duties with a visit to the London Screen Academy on Wednesday.
The BAFTAs have always been a significant occasion for the royal family, with Prince William attending solo in 2024 following Kate’s surgery and cancer treatment. He also missed the 2021 ceremony due to the passing of his grandfather, Prince Philip, and in 2022, both were absent due to other commitments.
The 2025 BAFTAs will be hosted by David Tennant, returning for a second consecutive year. In the lead-up to the awards, ‘Conclave’, starring Ralph Fiennes, leads with 12 nominations, while ‘Emilia Perez’ follows with 11. Other major contenders for Best Film include ‘Anora’, ‘The Brutalist’, and ‘A Complete Unknown’.