Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales, will not be attending the 2025 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), Kensington Palace has officially confirmed. The couple’s absence from the prestigious event is due to their commitment to spending quality time with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—as the ceremony coincides with the start of their half-term break from Lambrook School. Despite their absence, Prince William, who has served as the president of BAFTA since 2010, will still contribute to the event in a significant way through a pre-recorded message. His address is expected to highlight the importance of British cinema, celebrate the achievements of the nominated artists, and reaffirm his support for the film industry. The BAFTA awards ceremony, a highly anticipated event in the entertainment calendar, will take place on February 16 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with acclaimed actor and former Doctor Who star David Tennant as the evening’s host.
While Prince William will not be present at the BAFTAs this year, he remains deeply engaged in supporting the arts and creative industries. Tomorrow, he is set to visit the London Screen Academy, a specialized school dedicated to nurturing young talent in filmmaking. During his visit, he will participate in a hands-on session with students, assisting them in the process of shooting a short film. The visit will include a tour of the academy’s state-of-the-art facilities and interactions with Year 13 students who are working on their latest project, a film titled Melomania. The engagement underscores Prince William’s longstanding commitment to fostering young talent in the film industry, ensuring that aspiring filmmakers receive the support and mentorship needed to thrive in the competitive world of cinema.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been regular attendees at the BAFTAs over the years, with their presence often adding an element of glamour and prestige to the event. However, this marks the second time in recent years that they have had to miss the awards ceremony. In 2024, Prince William attended the BAFTAs alone as Kate Middleton was recovering from abdominal surgery. It was later revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment. In 2021, William also missed the ceremony following the passing of his grandfather, Prince Philip, while in 2022, both he and Kate were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. Their absence this year, though noted, is in line with their prioritization of family time, particularly during school holidays.
The 2025 BAFTA nominations have generated significant excitement among film enthusiasts, with several standout films leading the race for top honors. Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, has emerged as a frontrunner, securing an impressive 12 nominations. Meanwhile, Emilia Pérez has also garnered significant recognition with 11 nominations. The highly competitive Best Film category will see Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, and Emilia Pérez vying for the top award. The ceremony will be a star-studded affair, bringing together some of the biggest names in the film industry, as they celebrate the achievements of actors, directors, writers, and technical professionals who have made a significant impact on cinema over the past year.
Although Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be in attendance, the BAFTA awards promise to be a spectacular evening filled with memorable moments, outstanding performances, and well-deserved recognition for the industry’s finest talents. The couple’s past appearances at the awards have always been a highlight, with their elegant red carpet looks and warm interactions with nominees drawing widespread attention. However, their absence this year will be understood in the context of their dedication to balancing royal duties with family life.
The BAFTAs, as one of the most esteemed award ceremonies in the world, continue to play a pivotal role in showcasing British and international filmmaking excellence. With David Tennant as the charismatic host, a remarkable lineup of films, and a gathering of the industry’s elite, the 2025 edition of the awards is expected to be a grand celebration of cinema, even in the absence of two of its most distinguished royal patrons.
