Prince William to Attend 2024 BAFTAs Solo amid Kate Middleton’s Recovery from Abdominal Surgery

Kensington Palace confirmed the Prince of Wales will attend the annual awards ceremony in London on Feb. 18

Prince William will attend the 2024 BAFTAs without his wife Kate Middleton as she continues her recovery from abdominal surgery.

On Friday, Kensington Palace confirmed that the Prince of Wales, 41, will "attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday 18^th February," in a release seen by PEOPLE.

"The Prince, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will watch the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees," it added.

William has been president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010, and he regularly attends the annual awards with Kate, 42. William’s late grandfather, Prince Philip, was the first president of the academy.

Last year, William and Kate made their debut at the BAFTAs as the Prince and Princess of Wales with Kate dazzling in a white one-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown, which she accessorized with long black gloves and gold jewels, including Zara earrings.

This year’s ceremony is being hosted by actor and Doctor Who star David Tennant, while those presenting the awards include Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Bryce Dallas Howard, Hugh Grant, Dua Lipa and David Beckham.

Related: Prince William Visits Kate Middleton in Hospital After Her Abdominal Surgery, Will Spend as 'Much Time as Possible'

William’s appearance at the ceremony will follow him taking a week off from royal engagements to look after Princess Kate and their three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 — during the children's school break.

PEOPLE reported last week that Kate was able to travel to Anmer Hall in Norfolk, her and William's home on the Sandringham Estate, which is about 140 miles from Windsor, to spend time there with William and their kids during the children's half-term vacation from school. It marked the first time Kate had left Windsor Castle since her “planned” surgery in January.

William briefly returned to public duties that had been postponed due to his wife’s illness on Feb. 7. The appearances also marked William resuming royal duty for the first time since his father King Charles’ cancer diagnosis was revealed on Feb. 5.

A friend told PEOPLE of William's return to public life, "He is coping remarkably well considering his wife had surgery and he only found out his father’s news recently.”

Related: King Charles Doesn't Want to Put 'Pressure' on Prince William amid Cancer Diagnosis, Says Source

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Kate’s surgery was announced in a statement by Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17. "The surgery was successful, and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery," the statement read. "Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private," the statement continued. "Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share."

PEOPLE understands that the issue was non-cancerous.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.