Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be at the 2025 BAFTAs on Sunday, Feb. 16, unfortunately for all of those of us who were hoping for a red carpet return for the couple.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been staples at the British Academy of Film & Television Awards since they married in 2011, putting on a glamorous display as they attend on behalf of the royal family to celebrate the best of British film and TV. However, tradition has changed in recent years and it seems this year’s BAFTAs will be a royal-free event.
Why Aren’t Prince William & Kate Middleton Going to the BAFTAs?
Per People, Kensington Palace confirmed that William and Kate will not attend the 2025 BAFTAs but did not give an official reason. However, their reason for skipping the BAFTAs may be that it falls during their children’s mid-term break.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are on vacation from school during the BAFTAs so it’s possible that William and Kate have their hands full with parental duties.
William and Kate’s BAFTAs absence could also be tied to the Prince’s more low-key vision of what the Royal Family’s role in public life should be. In November, the future king hinted to the BBC that, under his control, the British monarchy would be less about pomp and ceremony.
“I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that’s [that] I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” William said. “And to give you more an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller R in the royal, if you like, that’s maybe a better way of saying it.”
“It’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people,” William elaborated. “And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impacts people’s lives. And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
Perhaps, a flashy appearance at the BAFTAs is no longer aligned with what William has in mind for his time as king.
Of course, this is not the couple’s first time skipping the BAFTAs. In Feb. 2024, William attended the event alone because Kate had undergone abdominal surgery in Dec. 2023. A month after William’s solo appearance, it was revealed that Kate was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
In 2021, neither attended the ceremony following the death of William’s grandfather Prince Philip. In 2022, they also passed on the event due to diary constraints.
William, who has been president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010, will appear in a video package during the award show. He also visit the London Screen Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 12 ahead of the ceremony.
Before you go, click here to see more photos of Prince William & Kate Middleton through the years.
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