BAFTAs 2026: Prince William and Kate Middleton attend the 2026 BAFTAs together for the first time in three years, days after Andrew’s arrest, ignoring a "monarchy in peril" question on the red carpet.
Kate Middleton Returns to BAFTA Red Carpet for First Time Since Cancer Diagnosis Amid Family Turmoil Following Andrew Arrest (Image: Social Media)
Prince William and Kate Middleton ignored a direct question about whether the monarchy is in peril during their red carpet appearance at the 2026 BAFTAs. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the awards at London's Royal Festival Hall just three days after the arrest of former Prince Andrew on his 66th birthday.
Prince William, 43, serves as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). He attended to present the BAFTA Fellowship Award, the academy's highest honor, to Dame Donna Langley, Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, for her outstanding contribution to film. Kate Middleton, 44, joined him on the red carpet, marking their first joint appearance there in three years. William wore a burgundy velvet jacket, while Kate donned a floor-length pink gown.
The red carpet shut down for the royal couple amid flashing cameras. An attendee asked them: "Is the monarchy in peril?" They did not respond to the question.
The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards are taking place at the Royal Festival Hall in London, with Scottish actor Alan Cumming hosting the ceremony. Prince William is attending in his official role as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), a position he has held since 2010. He is scheduled to present the BAFTA Fellowship Award to Dame Donna Langley, the Chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, honoring her contribution to the film industry. The Princess of Wales is accompanying him, marking her return to the full event after missing the 2024 ceremony due to her cancer treatment and recovery.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Feb. 19 at Wood Farm in Sandringham, on his 66th birthday. The location sits about six miles from Anmer Hall, the Norfolk country home of William and Kate. The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly spent much of the prior week there with their children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—during a school break.
This outing follows their last glitzy public event at the Royal Variety Performance in November.
William and Kate last walked the BAFTA red carpet together in 2023. They missed the event in 2025, and William attended alone in 2024. He expressed regret that year that Kate could not join amid her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Other royals maintained schedules after Andrew's arrest. King Charles, 77, held audiences and appeared at London Fashion Week hours after the news broke on Thursday. Queen Camilla, 78, attended a concert and met musicians in London. Princess Anne, 75, carried out an engagement at a men’s prison.
Scottish actor Alan Cumming hosts the event, the U.K.'s equivalent of the Oscars. K-Pop group Demon Hunters performs their hit “Golden.” British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware delivers a tribute during the In Memoriam segment.
BAFTA supports creative talent growth in the U.K. and internationally. William expanded involvement in 2021 with the Prince William BAFTA Bursary, aiding young people from underrepresented groups in film, games, and television via grants.
Last year, 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," he 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."
A: Feb. 19, 2026, at Wood Farm in Sandringham on his 66th birthday.
A: BAFTA Fellowship to Dame Donna Langley.
A: K-Pop Demon Hunters and Jessie Ware amongst others.
A: 2023 red carpet.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
