In a striking return to the public eye, Prince William and Princess Catherine made a glamorous appearance at the BAFTAs, just days after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal couple graced the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall for the celebrated film awards, marking their first joint public engagement since the unsettling event.

Amidst the backdrop of controversy, William and Catherine exuded charm and coordination, capturing attention with their synchronized fashion choices. Princess Catherine turned heads in a recycled Gucci gown, tastefully accented with a maroon belt, while Prince William complemented her look with a suitably matching blazer.

This isn’t the first time Catherine has impressed in this ensemble; she previously donned the elegant dress at the 2019 100 Women in Finance’s gala dinner, where she championed mental health initiatives in schools.

The royal outing occurs during a period of heightened scrutiny for the family, with increasing pressure on King Charles to disclose any prior knowledge regarding Andrew’s alleged misconduct. As the situation unfolds, the public remains eager for transparency from the monarchy.

Kate previously wore the dress to the 100 Women in Finance’s gala dinner in 2019 to support mental health in schools. 

The public engagement comes amid a tense time for the Royal Family, amid fresh calls for King Charles to reveal how much he knew about Andrew’s alleged misconduct prior to the arrest. 

The monarch issued an unprecedented statement confirming his ‘wholehearted support and co-operation’ with the investigation into Andrew just hours after he was detained on Thursday – with Buckingham Palace understood not to have known the former Duke of York would be arrested. 

The King’s statement added: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Prince William and Princess Catherine have arrived at the BAFTAs in London 

The pair seem in good spirits days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested

The couple wear matching outfits, with William’s blazer matching Catherine’s belt 

Princess Catherine looks sensational in a dusty pink gown for the occasion 

Kate wears her signature hairstyle featuring loose, voluminous curls 

The pair seem in good spirits days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested 

Kate finishes off her outfit with silver jewellery 

‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.’

William and Kate are understood to support the King’s statement. 

The Prince of Wales said he had not yet watched the Bafta best picture nominee Hamnet because he ‘needed to be in a calm mood.’

As they attended the EE BAFTA Film Awards, the heir to the throne revealed that Catherine had watched the hugely emotional film last night and was left in ‘floods of tears’.

But when asked if he had seen it, he explained: ‘I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it.’

Hamnet tells the story of the tragic death in childhood of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet and the grief of his parents.

‘I thought it was a bad idea, actually,’ the princess joked of watching the film before the ceremony. ‘Ended up with very puffy eyes.

‘It was so beautifully shot. The music as well. The score is fantastic.’

The Princess shared her appreciation of the Chloe Zhao film’s ‘presentation of intergenerational grief’.

She added: ‘We have a long list of films that we still need to get through.’

William said he had not yet seen Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, and described the vampire movie Sinners as ‘a bit dark’.

‘I have seen One Battle After Another, that was very good. We were not expecting it to start the way it did.’

The Princess also revealed how Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are now taking a greater interest in films.

Emily Stillman, Chair of Bafta’s Film Committee, told her: ‘Last time I saw you you were pregnant with George and you were doing your Harry Potter spells.’

She was referring to the royal couple’s 2013 visit, along with Prince Harry, to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, where they toured the set of Harry Potter.

‘I was saying how much the children would love to looks around,’ replied Kate.

‘They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens.’

She also praised the studios for ‘showcasing all the different career opportunities’ there are in film.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales take their seats at the BAFTA Film Awards

(L to R) Donna Langley, Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales take their seats as they attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall

(L to R) Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale and Catherine, Princess of Wales

William, Prince of Wales and Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA

(L to R) Hannah Waddingham, William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Inside, they chatted to an all-female line up of BAFTA executives, CEO Jane Millichip and Chair Sara Putt, Chair of the Film Committee Emily Stillman and Emma Baehr, Executive Director Awards and Content. 

Speaking again about Hamnet to Southbank Centre CEO Elaine Bedell and Allison Kirkby, CEO of sponsors BT Group, Catheine praised the child actors, saying, ‘The children did so well.’ 

She went on: ‘I loved the connection to nature.. it’s very stripped back and you see the human emotions.’ 

Again referring to her own children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – she added; ‘The children are starting to get interested in films and it’s a really great way to have some of the hard conversations with them.’ 

The Prince has been President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010 and the royal couple have been a regular fixture at the prestigious awards ceremony over the years. 

But the Princess has not attended for the past two years while recovering from her cancer diagnosis.

The Prince and Princess sat in the front row for the ceremony, which was presented by Scottish actor Alan Cumming and featured musical performances from KPop Demon Hunters and Jessie Ware, who sang during a poignant In Memoriam segment.

There was laughter at one point as Cumming introduced The Crown star Erin Doherty to the stage, saying: ‘There can’t be many actresses who have played a terrifying gang leader Princess Anne and a terrified psychologist.

‘Sorry! That should be, ‘terrifying gang leader, comma, Princess Anne and a terrified psychologist.’

Kate Hudson channelled Old Hollywood in an elegant red Prada gown as she lead the glamorous red carpet arrivals at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday

She was joined by Emma Stone, who opted for a more daring look by flashing a hint of sideboob in a cut-out black halterneck gown

As a hot favourite to win Leading Actress for her role in Hamnet, Jessie Buckley certainly caught the eye as she arrived in an electric blue Chanel gown

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall

King Charles has said he will grant police access to all files and records necessary for any investigations into his disgraced brother.

The arrest came after Thames Valley Police said it was ‘assessing’ reports that Andrew shared confidential trade reports and investment opportunities to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011 when he was the UK’s special trade envoy in Asia.

Andrew was questioned for 11 hours straight following his arrest and was pictured slumped in a Range Rover attempting to hide from cameras on his way out of Aylsham Police Investigation Centre. 

He was taken from Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk where he was placed after he was evicted from his Windsor residence Royal Lodge by King Charles earlier this month.

Police searched Wood Farm and are now searching the seven bedroom mansion Royal Lodge as part of the investigation.

Police now have a wide leeway to broaden their investigation if they find any other crimes when combing the former prince’s files and possessions and will ‘follow the evidence’, The Observer reported.

Hollywood stars have also been spotted arriving at the event where politically charged thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ and blues-steeped epic ‘Sinners’ led the field of nominees.

Oddsmakers suggest Shakespearean family tragedy ‘Hamnet’ could beat them to best picture if British film industry voters respond to the emotionally rich story, earthy English setting and intense performances of Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel.

Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close and Ethan Hawke were among those walking the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall before a black-tie ceremony hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming.

Leading the glamour was Kate Hudson who channelled Old Hollywood in a stunning red satin Prada gown with a matching train.

As a hot favourite to win Leading Actress for her role in Hamnet, Jessie Buckley certainly caught the eye as she arrived in an electric blue Chanel gown.

She was joined by Emma Stone, who opted for a more daring look by flashing a hint of sideboob in a cut-out black halterneck gown.

No stranger to catching the eye with her dramatic looks, Maura Higgins opted for a dramatic black and red satin gown with a glowing train.