Tonight, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. The Duke, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). The BAFTA event has become somewhat of a regular glamorous event in the couple’s royal calendar.
2020 marks The Duke’s tenth year as President of BAFTA. Ahead of the award ceremony, Palace said,
“BAFTA is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. While BAFTA is well-known for celebrating excellence and championing creativity through its awards, it is a charity committed to identifying talented individuals and making sure they receive the encouragement, professional support and advice that will enable them to succeed, regardless of their background or other circumstances.
In January 2020, The Duke attended a meeting with commissioning editors from across the broadcast industry to discuss the environment, the impact it will have on the programmes they create, and the way in which TV and programming can have a positive impact on repairing the planet.”
🎥 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for tonight’s #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/LPLM0JqTFT
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) February 2, 2020
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the last guests to arrive at the star-studded night.
This video is brilliant of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge!! 😂😂😂 #dukeofcambridge #DuchessofCambridge #EEBAFTAs #BAFTAs
— The Rumble Online (@theRumble9) February 2, 2020
Some onlookers complimented Duchess that she is looking beautiful. But it seems they did not miss the chance to admire William either.
The Duke has been President of the Academy since February 2010, and both His Royal Highness and the Duchess have supported BAFTA’s charitable activities by attending events across the charity’s learning programmes, including Young Game Designers and BAFTA Kids events, as well as others related to building cross-cultural collaborations with the creative industries in China.
BAFTA
BAFTA’s relationship with Royal Family dates back to the 1950s. The Duke of Edinburgh was the organisation’s first president in 1959, a year after The Society of Film and Television Arts was formed. The Queen decided to gift the royalties from Richard Cawston’s documentary Royal Family to the SFTA in the early 1970s, enabling the organisation to take up residence at 195 Piccadilly.
Ahead of the awards, Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “We are so pleased The Duke and Duchess will join us to celebrate another outstanding year in film. This year marks The Duke’s 10th year as BAFTA’s President and his involvement has been invaluable to the work we do, from launching our global new talent activity in 2011 to supporting the BAFTA Scholarships programme and assisting with the most far-reaching fundraising campaign BAFTA has ever undertaken. We are immensely grateful to Their Royal Highnesses for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming them to the Film Awards on Sunday 2 February.”
The royal couple took a seat in the front row of the Royal Albert Hall to enjoy the night.
The BAFTA award trophy is a mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe. When the Guild merged with the British Film Academy it became the Society of Film and Television Arts that later on was renamed as the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The very first BAFTA mask, cast in bronze, was awarded in 1976 to Sir Charlie Chaplin n his Academy Fellowship that year. Since then, it has become one of the most recognizable and distinctive awards in the film and television industry and cemented its role as the UK’s equivalent of an Oscar.
BAFTA
The Duke of Cambridge presented the Fellowship award. The Fellowship is awarded annually at the ceremony and is the highest accolade bestowed by the Academy to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television. The recipient of this year’s Fellowship will be film producer Kathleen Kennedy.
Film producer Kathleen Kennedy presented with the final award of the night, the BAFTA Fellowship ✨ #EEBAFTAs #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/EgDIDCc9Bs
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 3, 2020
The American film producer started her career working on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and most recently has worked on the Star Wars series. Speaking at the event, Prince William raised the issue of lack of diversity in the nomination. From Daily Mail’s report,
The Duke of Cambridge addressed issues around diversity before presenting Kathleen with the Bafta award.
He praised the ‘exceptional film-making’ that had been highlighted during the ceremony, and reflected on his 10 years as Bafta president, joking that he did not know if he should be ‘proud or slightly alarmed’ at how many of the winners over the past decade ‘have portrayed members of my own family’.
William said: ‘Both here in the UK and in many other countries across the world we are lucky to have incredible film-makers, actors, producers, directors and technicians – men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film.
‘Yet in 2020, and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process – that simply cannot be right in this day and age.’
He continued: ‘I know that both Pippa (Harris), chair of Bafta and Amanda (Berry), Bafta CEO, share that frustration and continue to work tirelessly to ensure that creative talent is discovered and supported.
‘Bafta takes this issue seriously, and following this year’s nominations, have launched a full and thorough review of the entire awards process to build on their existing work and ensure that opportunities are available to everyone.’
He went on to present the Fellowship award to Kathleen, praising her for her ‘remarkable career’.
After the award ceremony, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with the BAFTA representatives, Nominees and Winners to congratulate them. Among them were the winners of the 27 awards categories, including the cast and crew of 1917 that won 7 awards. Roya Nikka on the Twitter report,
William told him: “I absolutely loved The Joker. It was brilliant. It put it off and put it off before watching it, as people kept telling me “be careful when you choose to watch it”. I’m glad I didn’t watch it before bed. But huge congratulations on an amazing performance.”
Coming to sartorial details of the night – first a look back at What Duchess wore at BAFTA in her previous appearances. Tonight The Duchess of Cambridge is making her 5th appearance at the star-studded night.
She first attended in 2011 during a North America tour in Los Angeles. The couple attended the event as part of their Royal tour in California, showing their support of British creative talent and BAFTA’s year-round work. For her first appearance, the then newly married The Duchess of Cambridge wore Alexander McQueen lilac Gown.
She then joined the Duke of Cambridge in 2017 after 6 years of anticipation. At her BAFTA comeback, The Duchess of Cambridge chose a vintage-looking Alexander McQueen Black Gown.
In 2018 the almost 8 months pregnant Catherine dazzled in a simple yet stunning Jenny Packham Green Gown.
2019 was one of her most dazzling appearances. The Duchess of Cambridge wore Alexander McQueen Off Shoulder Gown. This year BAFTA set a dress code for its attendees. In order to lessen their carbon footprint and promote sustainability, the BAFTA has asked attendees to re-wear an outfit they’ve worn in the past or to choose another sustainable option like rent or wear vintage. From People’s report,
The guidelines are part of the academy’s plans for their first-ever carbon neutral awards ceremony. “Sustainability is very important to BAFTA, and we’re doing more than ever before,” they explained in a press statement, adding: “The goal is that the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 will be carbon neutral, working towards having a net positive impact on the environment.”
The red carpet will be 100 percent recyclable and sustainably sourced produce will be served at the dinner. Guests have also been advised on how to offset their travel for the journey to and from the event – which for Kate and William would have been minimal, as Kensington Palace is just a stone’s throw from the South Kensington concert hall.
So The Duchess of Cambridge chose to bring back her Alexander McQueen Gown.
We saw the Sarah Burton designed gown in September 2012 when she attended a reception in Malaysia during South East Asia Diamond Jubilee Tour. The floor-length cream gown has an overleaf of sheer material with embroidered Malaysian flower gold hibiscuses – the official flower of Malaysia.
The Duchess of Cambridge had some work done on the gown. Originally the bespoke gown featured a sweetheart neckline, sheer sleeves, fitted bodice with a full skirt. Today the gown has different sleeves and structured shoulders.
The gown was definitely a regal surprise for royal fans. From the moment we find out it is going to be a re-wear, we all were rooting for Alexander McQueen Velvet Gown.
To be honest, the gown did not even cross my mind as a choice. I absolutely dislike its bodice, but watching the gown in movement is actually regal. Catherine stood out among the Hollywood celebs with its elegant golden touch. So overall it was a win-win look.
The Duchess of Cambridge paired the gown with gold Jimmy Choo Pumps. Thanks to Gabi on Twitter for the id.
Catherine debuted a new pair of jewellery today. She wore Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra 6 motifs necklace. Thanks to Replicate Royalty on Twitter for the id. The $8950 yellow gold Mother-of-Pearl necklace is part of the label’s the Magic Alhambra® jewellery collection. The collection is described as, “Created in 2006 by Van Cleef & Arpels, the Magic Alhambra® jewellery creations gather different-sized Alhambra motifs, coming together in a joyful dance. Inspired by the clover leaf, their asymmetric designs feature different associations of materials.” The necklace has 16.8 inches long chain and features 6 pieces of Mother-of-Pearl motifs.
The Duchess teamed up the necklace with matching Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra Earrings. The €6300 earrings are described as, “In the 2006 Magic Alhambra® collection, Alhambra motifs of different sizes and material combinations dance a happy round. Their slightly asymmetrical design was inspired by a four-leaf clover.” The earrings feature 2 white Mother-of-Pearl motifs set in yellow gold.
The Duchess of Cambridge carried a new clutch – Anya Hindmarch Marano Clutch. A fabulous find by HeavenQRF on Twitter. The $550 box clutch feature woven detailing with glittering gold hardware and came with a detachable chain.
Catherine was also wearing her still UFO Citrus Ring.
Next, we will see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Tuesday when they will be visiting Wales for a day full of engagements.
