In a surprising turn of events, Kensington Palace has provided an update on behalf of Prince William, following the announcement that the Prince and Princess of Wales will not attend a highly anticipated event.
Prince William, who serves as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), has traditionally attended the BAFTA Awards with his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales. However, this year, the royal couple will be absent from the red carpet, marking a significant departure from tradition.
Despite skipping the ceremony, Prince William made a public appearance on Wednesday to show his support for emerging talent at the London Screen Academy (LSA). During his visit, he engaged with young creatives honing their skills in various aspects of film production.
Kensington Palace shared highlights from the event, along with a statement that celebrated the achievements of the students:
“As the industry celebrates the best in film at the @bafta Awards on Sunday, the future of film is already in the making at the @londonscreenacademy,” the statement read.
The Palace further elaborated on the Academy’s innovative curriculum, stating:
“At LSA, students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of production, from scriptwriting to set design, cinematography to post-production. The end-of-year project sees 380 students transform the school into a working film set. This year’s short film, Melomania, featured a dystopian Steampunk submarine and a mysterious dock house, all built and filmed by these talented young people.”
The decision not to attend the BAFTA Awards has sparked widespread speculation, as this marks the first time Prince William will not attend the event since taking on his role as BAFTA President.
While no specific reason for the cancellation was disclosed, Prince William’s focus on championing young filmmakers highlights his continued dedication to supporting the arts and creative industries.
The royal couple’s absence from the BAFTA Awards signals a shift in their usual calendar, but their commitment to nurturing new talent ensures their support for the industry remains steadfast.
