Prince William and Kate Middleton made a glamorous return to the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday.
The royal couple graced the red carpet at London’s Royal Festival Hall as special guests at the 76th BAFTAs, marking their debut at the ceremony as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
All eyes were on Kate and William, who both looked excited to walk the carpet in their monochromatic ensembles. At one point on the red carpet, Kate was seen tapping William’s right behind, setting the internet ablaze as it’s not every day that the royal couple displays affection for each other in public.
The Prince and Princess of Wales display affection towards each other on the BAFTAs red carpet on February 19, 2023 (Credit: Chris Jackson / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Showing her commitment to sustainability, Catherine, Princess of Wales donned a reworked version of her 2019 BAFTAs Alexander McQueen gown.
Originally a Grecian-style one-shoulder gown with a corsage detail on the shoulder, the ethereal white McQueen gown was refashioned by replacing the corsage with an elegant bow that cascades into a long, white chiffon cape sleeve, creating a more avant-garde design.
It was finished with a nipped-in waist and a billowing skirt with a flounced hem.
Kate Middleton returns to the BAFTAs in a recycled Alexander McQueen white chiffon gown, which she first wore to the 2019 BAFTAs (Credit: Chris Jackson / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The look was further updated with the addition of bold accessories, particularly the $216 full-length black opera gloves by Cornelia James, which gave the entire ensemble a chic contrast.
While her shoes were hardly visible under the hem of her chiffon gown, she reportedly wore Aquazzura’s Fenix pumps in gold leather that you can shop in other colors at Farfetch.
Catherine, Princess of Wales pairs her reworked Alexander McQueen white gown with Cornelia James black opera gloves, Jimmy Choo black clutch, Zara earrings, and gold Aquazzura pumps (Credit: Chris Jackson / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Kate then carried a matching black clutch by Jimmy Choo and wore a pair of the now sold-out $27.90 Cascading Flower Earrings by fast fashion brand Zara.
Beauty-wise, the stylish royal wore a classic makeup look with subtle smokey eyeshadow and pink lipstick. Her tresses were styled in soft waves cascading down her back.
Kate Middleton keeps her look ethereal with subtle smokey eyeshadow, pink lipstick, and soft waves hairstyle (Credit: Chris Jackson / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Prince William coordinated with his wife, opting for a black velvet tuxedo by Tom Ford with a black bow tie, a white shirt, a matching pocket square, and black dress shoes.
This year’s BAFTA marks Prince William and Kate Middleton’s return to the show after skipping the ceremony in 2021 following Prince Philip’s death and in 2022 due to “diary constraints.”
Prince William has been the BAFTA President since 2010, and the couple began attending the bash together in 2017.
Prince William coordinates with his wife in a black velvet tuxedo by Tom Ford (Credit: Chris Jackson / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Following the ceremony, the Prince and Princess of Wales took to their official Instagram account to congratulate the night’s winners.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s wonderful and worthy BAFTA winners!” they captioned the post.
“A special evening celebrating the best of cinema and the next generation of British talent both in front of and behind the camera.”
Honoring the Late Queen
Dame Helen Mirren led a special tribute to the late Queen at this year’s BAFTAs, describing Queen Elizabeth II as “our nation’s leading star.”
The late Queen Elizabeth II, pictured at the opening ceremony of the Sixth Session of the Senedd in 2021, was honored at the 76th EE British Academy Film Awards on February 19, 2023 (Credit: Andrew Matthews / PA Images / INSTARimages)
“In 1953, her coronation broadcast had the world watching. From that time, she was unquestionably the nation’s leading lady but as mysterious as a silent film star. Who else could meet the world’s most famous singers, actors, and performers and turn them into her supporting cast? Throughout her 70-year reign, she met cinema’s greatest icons and witnessed the evolution of Hollywood’s golden age to the birth of the blockbuster. Her Majesty was front row for it all.”
“Cinema at its best does what Her Majesty did effortlessly—bring us together and unite us in a story. Your Majesty, you were our nation’s leading star. On behalf of BAFTA, thank you for all that you have done for our film and television industry.”