The prestigious BAFTAs 2024 unfolded with a dazzling array of A-list celebrities extending their warm wishes and prayers to Princess Catherine through Prince William.
The event, graced by Hollywood luminaries such as Emma Stone, Margaret Robbie, and Ryan Gosling, celebrated the finest films and actors from the past year.
Held at the illustrious Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, February 18th, the ceremony was a star-studded affair, with the winners announced a month after the nominees were unveiled by former EE Rising Star awardees Naomi Ackie and Kingsley Ben-Adir during a live press briefing.
This year’s BAFTAs, broadcasted on BBC1, were hosted by the talented actor David Tennant, marking his return to television since his appearance in a series of Doctor Who specials in 2023.
The evening witnessed Prince William radiating joy as he mingled with the stars backstage at the Galizie BAFTAs in London.
Despite his wife Kate’s absence due to ongoing recovery from abdominal surgery, the Prince of Wales exuded a cheerful demeanor, expressing Catherine’s fondness for the BAFTAs and apologizing for her non-attendance, attributing it to her deep affection for the event.
Sporting his characteristic navy velour suit jacket and dickie bow, William candidly shared that amidst focusing on family matters following his wife’s medical procedure and his father’s unexpected cancer diagnosis, he had not had the chance to indulge in as many films as he typically would have.
Engaging with fans outside the Royal Festival Hall, the prince admitted to not having watched the blockbuster hit Barbie, sparking surprise among film enthusiasts.
Backstage, amidst the triumph of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer securing seven accolades, Prince William engaged warmly with industry figures, including Bridgerton star Phoebe Denver, American talent Ayo Edibiri, and Australian actress Sophie Wilde.
Additionally, he exchanged pleasantries with Earth Mama director Savannah Leaf, producer Med Riordan, and the triumphant debut British writer, director, or producer Shirley O’Connor.
The luminaries present at the event conveyed their well wishes and prayers for Princess Catherine’s swift recovery, expressing hopes to see her soon in public engagements.
The outpouring of support for Catherine through Prince William highlighted a stark contrast to the predicament of Meghan Markle, who found herself excluded from the BAFTA awards ceremony due to the ongoing rift with the royal family.
In a twist of events, Meghan and Harry were notably absent from this year’s BAFTA ceremony, mirroring their exclusion from the previous year’s BAFTA tea party in Los Angeles.
Sources revealed that extending an invitation to the couple would have exacerbated tensions given Prince William’s role as the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
The absence of the Sussexes from the BAFTAs underscored the divide within the royal family, with Princess Catherine garnering widespread support and admiration from the entertainment industry, while Meghan Markle’s aspirations to emulate her remain unfulfilled.