The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, will attend the 2017 BAFTAs next month.
William, who has served as president of BAFTA since 2010, and Middleton will walk the red carpet at London’s Royal Albert Hall and attend the awards ceremony, according to a release issued by BAFTA on Friday. The duke will also present the BAFTA Fellowship, the academy’s lifetime achievement award.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are fantastic supporters of BAFTA. We very much look forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses at the EE British Academy Film Awards,” said Amanda Berry OBE and Chief Executive of BAFTA. The ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 12.
The announcement followed a story published in the British tabloid The Sun this week that claimed drama behind the scenes. The story asserted that Middleton, who has not previously attended the glittering awards ceremony, was unwelcome by BAFTA because the academy feared she would “outshine A-list actresses.” BAFTA has called the claims in the article “nonsense.”
The ceremony will be hosted by perennial host Stephen Fry and will be broadcast on BBC One.
