The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived for the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony (Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

The Prince and Princess of Wales dazzled in matching maroon this afternoon as they made their first public appearance since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest last week at the BAFTAs. Speaking before the awards were announced, William said he was yet to watch Best Picture nominee Hamnet because he “needed to be in a calm mood”.

Catherine meanwhile watched the hugely emotional film on Saturday night and was left in “floods of tears”. But when asked if he had seen it, William explained: “I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it.”

Hamnet tells the story of the tragic death in childhood of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet and the grief of his parents. “I thought it was a bad idea, actually,” the princess joked of watching the film before the ceremony. “Ended up with very puffy eyes. It was so beautifully shot. The music as well. The score is fantastic.”

The beaming couple stepped onto the red carpet to cheers on Sunday afternoon as they attended the star-studded event together for the first time in three years.

Princess Kate’s hair is beautifully curled (Image: Getty)

The Princess of Wales is wearing a Gucci dress (Image: WireImage)

In their first public engagement since William’s disgraced uncle was arrested over suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday morning, the senior royals attempted to show that it was very much business as usual for the Firm as they appeared at the Royal Festival Hall alongside the Hollywood elite.

William said he had not yet seen Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, and described the vampire movie Sinners as “a bit dark”.

He said: “I have seen One Battle After Another, that was very good. We were not expecting it to start the way it did.”

Catherine oozed glamour in a soft blush Gucci gown with a maroon velvet belt and her hair in bouncy curls. She last wore the dusky pink dress for the 100 Women in Finance Gala in 2019.

William matched his wife in a classic maroon velvet tuxedo, looking dapper in a black bow tie.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attending the 79th British Academy Film Awards (Image: PA)

The Princess also revealed how Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are now taking a greater interest in films.

Emily Stillman, Chair of Bafta’s Film Committee, told her: “Last time I saw you you were pregnant with George and you were doing your Harry Potter spells.”
She was referring to the royal couple’s 2013 visit, along with Prince Harry, to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, where they toured the set of Harry Potter.

“I was saying how much the children would love to looks around,” replied Catherine. “They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens.”

William, as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), last attended the glitzy event in 2024. He attended on his own as Catherine was at home recovering from her major abdominal surgery. She was later diagnosed with cancer and has been in remission for over a year.

Upon arrival, the Prince and Princess met Jane Millichip, Chief Executive Officer, BAFTA, and were introduced to a number of key BAFTA representatives.

Later in the night, the prince will present the BAFTA Fellowship Award, the Academy’s highest honour, to Dame Donna Langley, Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, who is being recognised for her outstanding contribution to film.

Princess Kate is wearing a flowing pink dress (Image: David Fisher/Shutterstock)

The Princess of Wales last wore the Gucci dress in 2019 for the 100 Women in Finance Gala (Image: PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales last attended the Baftas in 2023 (Image: Getty)

This year’s awards show will be hosted by Scottish actor, writer, producer and presenter, Alan Cumming.

Guests will be treated to performances by the singing voices behind the global phenomenon, KPop Demon Hunters, who will sing their chart topping hit “Golden”, and award-winning British singer songwriter Jessie Ware will perform a special tribute during the ceremony’s In Memoriam.

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The couple last attended the BAFTAs together in 2023 and tonight marks the seventh time they have attended the show togegther.

The EE BAFTA Film Awards will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Sunday 22nd February.