They may have been the two most eagerly awaited names to grace the red carpet at the BAFTAs, but the Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprisingly low-key entrance to the ceremony on Sunday night, it can be revealed.
William, 43, and Kate, 44, delighted royal fans as they made a surprise appearance at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards ceremony, dubbed the British version of the Oscars, at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
It followed weeks of speculation and rumours about their attendance, and marked Kate’s first appearance at the ceremony in three years amid her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan, for which she announced she was in remission last year. William, meanwhile, has been the BAFTA president since 2010.
The couple brought royal glamour to the show, with William in a burgundy velvet suit and Kate recycling a resplendent, pink-and-mauve Gucci gown from 2019. But aside from this, the royals made a quiet and subtle entrance – with none of the ceremonial fanfare that may once have been expected.
Inside the auditorium, there was no formal announcement when Prince William and the Princess of Wales took their seats. Their arrival was somewhat understated, with many guests only realising they were in the room as they moved through the aisle, stopping briefly to greet fellow attendees. A noticeable buzz followed as heads turned to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.
Later, before the broadcast began, BAFTA Chair Sara Putt referenced William from the stage, prompting cameras to pan towards the pair. A warm round of applause broke out, with some cheers audible across the hall. William appeared slightly flushed as Kate turned towards him with a smile.
Kate’s meaningful look
Kate oozed style and sophistication in a Gucci gown from 2019. Her dress featured a soft mauve and pink colour palette with a cinched waistline, shoulder-grazing V-neck bodice, and the floatiest skirt. The sheer number was accessorised to perfection with a burgundy velvet clutch bag to match the waistline of her dress and killer heels.
The stunning dress was a re-wear, as in 2019, as she stepped out at the V&A Museum for a gala dinner in aid of ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’ as Patron of 100 Women in Finance’s Philanthropic Initiatives.
To accessorise, Kate chose the stunning Greville Chandelier earrings, which once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The dazzling design features multiple diamonds set in platinum, and the pair was originally owned by Margaret Greville, who gave them their name. When Margaret died, they were passed on to the Queen Mother, who gifted them to Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day to Prince Philip in 1947.
“The Princess of Wales’ BAFTA appearances are where her signature style truly comes to life – a perfect expression of elegance, chic simplicity, and her natural ease with fashion,” fashion stylist Sian Clarke told HELLO!.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaThe surprise appearance marked a busy weekend for the Princess, as she also made a solo outing on Saturday to Twickenham to watch England take on Ireland in the Six Nations.
William and Kate’s attendance came amid a tense week for the royal family following the arrest of William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, over allegations of misconduct in public office.
Read the full article here
