Kate Middleton and Prince William Ignore ‘Monarchy in Peril’ Question at 2026 BAFTAs, Days After Andrew’s Arrest

The Prince and Princess of Wales made a glamorous return to the awards show, three days after the arrest of William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Kate Middleton (left) and Prince William (right) at the 2026 BAFTAs on Feb. 22. Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Kate Middleton and Prince William are back on the BAFTAs red carpet amid a tumultuous few days for the royal family following the arrest of former Prince Andrew.

Three days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in Sandringham on his 66th birthday, the Prince and Princess of Wales surprised fans at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, Feb. 22, for the annual awards show celebrating film.

William, 43, wore a burgundy velvet jacket, while Kate, 44, was dressed in a floor-length pink gown.

On the red carpet, which was shut down for the royal pair, Kate and William were asked by an attendee: “Is the monarchy in peril?”

Kate Middleton at the 2026 BAFTAs on Feb. 22. Lia Toby/Getty

The outing marks the first time that Prince William and Princess Kate have attended the awards show together in three years. While they regularly support the event, they last walked the BAFTA red carpet together in 2023.

The couple was not in attendance last year, and William attended alone in 2024, sharing his regret that his wife couldn’t join that year amid her cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Prince William, there in his capacity as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is scheduled to present the BAFTA Fellowship Award, the Academy’s highest honor, to Dame Donna Langley, Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, who is being recognized for her outstanding contribution to film. The event is being hosted by Scottish actor and Traitors presenter Alan Cumming.

Joining the film stars and nominees are K-Pop Demon Hunters, who are performing their hit “Golden,” while British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware will perform a special tribute during the ceremony’s In Memoriam.

It’s believed that the Prince and Princess of Wales spent much of the last week with their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — who have been on a school break. They are believed to have spent time at their country home in Norfolk, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, which is on the same royal estate where Andrew has been living. He was arrested at Wood Farm on Feb. 19, around six miles from William and Kate’s home.

Their appearance at the U.K.’s equivalent of the Oscars follows other members of the royal family continuing their public outings in the wake of Andrew’s arrest. Just hours after news of the arrest broke on Thursday, King Charles, 77, held audiences and made an appearance at London Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, 78, attended a concert and met with musicians in London, and Princess Anne, 75, also carried out a planned engagement at a men’s prison.

Arts charity BAFTA, which is known for its annual awards shows, supports the growth of creative talent in the U.K. and internationally. And William’s involvement has been broadened since 2021 with the Prince William BAFTA Bursary that helps young people from underrepresented groups to progress their careers in film, games and television through grants.

Their most recent glitzy night out was in November at the Royal Variety Performance.

Kate Middleton (left) and Prince William (right) at the 2026 BAFTAs on Feb. 22. Samir Hussein/WireImage

Last year, Prince William marked the 20th anniversary of BAFTA’s Rising Star Award in a pre-recorded message.

“Since 2006, this award has not only championed the industry’s rising stars but has helped to inspire the next generation of acting talent to pursue their dreams,” the royal heir said.

“The five incredibly talented people nominated tonight demonstrate a remarkable range of performances and have each captured the imagination of audiences over the last year. Judging by the international success of the previous nominees and winners of this award, I am certain we will be seeing much more of their work over the next 20 years and beyond.”