If there’s one thing you can almost always count on, it’s an appearance by at least one member of the royal family at the annual British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards (BAFTAs).
While Prince William and Princess Kate have been absent from the BAFTAs for the previous two years (in 2021 due to Prince Philip’s passing and in 2022 due to “diary constraints,” per Variety), Kensington Place did confirm that the couple will be in attendance at the award ceremony this year, which will take place on Sunday, February 19 at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
For the first time in two years, the BAFTA Tea Party is back and better than ever! Check out who wowed in some seriously chic looks below: https://t.co/v8cvLhKvBX
— SheKnows (@SheKnows) January 15, 2023
Of the five presidents who have taken charge of the annual awards over the course of the BAFTAs’ seven decades of existence, four have been members of the royal family. Prince William has presided as president of the BAFTAs since 2010, and prior to his occupation of the leadership position, Princess Anne oversaw the awards from 1973 to 2001, and prior to her occupation of the role, Prince Philip was appointed president from 1959 to 1965 — he was actually the first person to fill the prestigious position.
Prince Philip’s uncle, the Earl Mountbatten of Burma, also filled the role from 1966 to 1972. The only non-royal president of the BAFTAs was Lord Attenborough, who presided from 2002 to 2010.
In honor of the 2023 British Academy Film Awards — basically the British equivalent of the Oscars — we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite royal appearances at the annual event. From 2020 all the way back to 1963, some of the best moments include a little glitz, a lot of glam, and a whole lot of Kate Middleton in Alexander McQueen.
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Prince William & Kate, 2023
Image Credit: Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images. In their first BAFTA appearance since the pandemic started in 2020, William and Kate arrived in pure class and style. William sported a black velvet jacket, with Kate rocking black in her accessories. She also wowed in a flowing white gown from Alexander McQueen that took everyone’s breath away.
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Prince William & Kate, 2020
Image Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images. Following the event’s sustainable fashion guide, which requests that guests re-wear, rent, or purchase vintage attire for the evening, Kate re-wore a gilded Alexander McQueen gown at the 2020 BAFTAs. She had previously worn the dress at a 2012 state dinner in Malaysia.
Prince William, for his part, kept things simple each year at the awards ceremony by re-wearing the same ensemble, from his sharp tuxedo all the way down to his velvet dress shoes.
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Prince William & Kate, 2019
Image Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images. In 2019, Kate turned heads in an angelic single-shoulder gown designed, once again, by Alexander McQueen. The future queen notably added a pair of Princess Diana’s silver and pearl earrings to her glamorous look.
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Prince William & Kate, 2018
Image Credit: Jeff Spicer/Jeff Spicer/Getty Images. Kate was pregnant with Prince Louis at the 2018 BAFTA awards, and she showed off her growing bump in a gorgeous forest green gown by Jenny Packham. While her dress was stunning, it was her jewels that stole the show. The then-Duchess of Cambridge re-wore a matching earring and necklace set encrusted with diamonds and emeralds, which she previously wore at a 2014 anniversary dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
And Prince William, again, donned his ole reliable tux and velvet slippers. He’s certainly nailing the sustainable fashion rules!
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Prince William & Kate, 2017
Image Credit: Daniel Leal-Olivas- WPA Pool/Getty Images. In 2017, Kate wore another Alexander McQueen gown — this one a black off-the-shoulder number with a repeating green and violet floral pattern.
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Prince William & Kate, 2011
Image Credit: Matt Baron-Pool/Getty Images. The first year the future king and queen of England attended the BAFTAs together was 2011, a year after Prince William had become president of the prestigious award show. William looked dapper, as always, in a crisp black tux, and Kate wore a flowing lilac gown by Alexander McQueen, cinched at the waist with a sparkling belt.
The princess re-wore the same gown a decade later at the Earthshot Prize in 2021, which is another event that celebrates sustainability.
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Prince William, 2010
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Orange. Prince William’s first year attending the BAFTA awards as the event’s president was 2010, and he looked absolutely thrilled to be a part of the distinguished evening. He was, notably, not wearing the velvet shoes he now so loves.
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Princess Anne, 1979
Image Credit: Graham Turner/Keystone/Getty Images. Before Prince William took the helm as the BAFTA awards president, Princess Anne presided over the event from 1973 to 2001. Here, she’s seen presenting an award to Francesca Annis for her role in The Comedy of Errors in 1979.
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Prince Philip, 1963
Image Credit: Les Lee / Stringer Prince Philip was the event’s very first president, a role in which he served from 1959 to 1965. Above, the Duke of Edinburgh is seen at the 16th annual BAFTAs presenting an award to Richard Attenborough in 1963.
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