Prince William made an emotional admission at the BAFTAS on Sunday night when he was asked how many of the nominated films he had seen this year.
The Prince of Wales normally attends every year as President of BAFTA and is used to having his wife Princess Kate accompany him, however, she is still recovering at home following major abdominal surgery last month.
Upon his arrival, William was greeted by the chief executive of the Southbank Centre Elaine Bedell, and he told her: “I’m sorry Catherine’s not here, she does love the BAFTAS.”
When asked if he had seen all 38 films nominated at this year’s ceremony he responded: “No, I’ve done the fewest I’ve ever done this year, annoyingly,” before admitting movingly: “I’ve had other things on my mind.”
He continued: “It’s been a bit like… but hopefully I’ll catch up.”
The royals have not only had Kate’s ill health to deal with but have also been coping with King Charles’s shock cancer diagnosis and Prince Harry arriving back on the scene.
William has recently taken time off from royal duties to look after Kate as she recuperates in Windsor, as well as caring for their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
It was announced in January that the Princess had undergone an operation and would not be back at work until Easter at the earliest due to the nature of her condition.
Fortunately, Kate was well enough to travel to their Norfolk home Anmer Hall for February half-term so the Waleses could spend quality time together.
The King too is of the “firm opinion” that Harry could never return to royal life, something he and William are in “solid agreement” about.
In 2020 during the ‘Sandringham Summit’, Harry and Meghan questioned whether they could have a half-in, half-out approach to being in the Firm, but the late Queen Elizabeth refused.
A source told the Daily Mail: “The terms of the accord were very clear and nothing that has happened recently, including the King’s illness, has changed that.”
