The Prince of Wales cut a fine figure at the BAFTAs in London this evening, arriving alone for British film's biggest night – as the Princess of Wales continues to recover from abdominal surgery at the family home.
Prince William, 42, who has been president of the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2010, cut a fine figure in his signature navy velor suit jacket and Dickie bow as he greeted the crowd outside the Royal Festival Hall.
The heir to the throne looked relaxed, posing for selfies with fans and chatting to well-wishers as he strolled the red carpet.
Inside, Prince William took his seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett before the awards ceremony began, which this year was presented by David Tennant.
The star-studded event saw a host of celebrities flock to the South Bank, including Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh, who dressed up for the British film event.
For the most glamorous evening in the British film calendar, the prince opted for a navy velor dinner jacket, a Dickie bow and black patent brogues
The 42-year-old royal walks the carpet alone at the Royal Festival Hall ahead of tonight's ceremony
The King looked in radiant form as he arrived at the South Bank for a movie night
Later that night, Prince William shook hands with David Beckham
Tonight marks the first high-profile royal engagement attended by William since the Princess of Wales underwent major surgery last month and the news of his father's cancer diagnosis.
It was initially expected that he would miss the ceremony, which he normally attends with Kate, but the prince seemed keen to represent the royal family at the event.
The mother-of-three underwent surgery at the London Clinic on January 16 and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with her three children.
Lead actor: William walks onto the red carpet where he will address the audience as President of BAFTA
Inside, Prince William took a seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett before the awards ceremony began
A hug for Cate: Blanchett puts her arm on the Prince of Wales's shoulder as the two greet each other
A Wave of Wills: Prince William pictured at the 2024 BAFTAs; The King, who has been president of the academy since 2010, was pictured chatting to the crowd gathered at the Royal Festival Hall this evening
The prince and the famous footballer chatted for a while at the Royal Albert Hall
Since the royal health announcements, which included his father the king's unspecified cancer diagnosis and separate prostate treatment, William has attended few events.
He spoke at a charity event in London earlier this month that raised funds for the London Air Ambulance Charity's new fleet of helicopters.
Christopher Nolan's epic biopic about atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer is set to be a big winner at the Baftas after Oppenheimer received 13 nominations.
Selfies: When William arrived at the event, he appeared to lean over to pose for selfies with fans
A handshake from a film fan; The prince likely raised questions about his wife and father's health
Flanked by strict security guards, the prince enters the London landmark. Traditionally, he attends the event with his wife, the Princess of Wales
The Prince of Wales glanced up at the sky as he prepared to take his seat
A dapper prince: William waves to well-wishers; Hundreds gathered at the event to catch a glimpse of royalty and some of the film industry's biggest stars
Sharp! The prince, dressed in a suit and boots, cut a stunning figure as he arrived at the awards ceremony
BBC footage of Prince William arriving at the Royal Festival Hall; The prince is attending without Kate Middleton, who is still at home recovering from surgery
William has been president of Bafta since 2010 and Kate first attended the event with her husband in 2017.
At last year's event, Kate Middleton chose a one-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress for the occasion, which she wore for the first time at the event in 2019.
For his outfit, William kept things classic and simple, wearing a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket.
After the awards ceremony, the couple had a lively chat with the stars, including Austin and Sex Education's Emma Mackey and event host Alison Hammond.
Last year: Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured at the 2023 BAFTA Awards
William has taken on a new role in public royal life since news of his father's cancer diagnosis and is expected to fill in for the royal at a number of upcoming events.
Charles has postponed all public duties, but continues to work behind the scenes on his red boxes of government securities.
The Queen continued her royal schedule and said last week that her husband was doing “extremely well given the circumstances.”
She said the royal, who underwent his first cancer treatment last week, was “very touched” by all the messages of support he had received from the public.
The King and Queen arrived as downpours lashed London, and Charles was photographed waving to well-wishers.
Charles' diagnosis came after three nights in a private London hospital where he was treated for an enlarged prostate.
The Prince of Wales could step in to represent his father at events and it has been reported that William and his family are spending the half-term holidays at their home Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which is on the King's Sandringham estate.