Prince William Arrives at BAFTAs Amid King Charles and Princess Kate’s Health Woes

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Prince William, Prince Of Wales waves as he attends London's Air Ambulance Charity Gala Dinner, where he will meet crew members, former patients and supporters, before delivering a short speech on February 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince William was spotted arriving at the 2024 BAFTA Awards on Sunday, Feb. 18. As with the 2023 ceremony, this year’s awards show is taking place at the Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Centre.

The Prince of Wales’ public appearance comes within weeks of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis and the Princess of Wales’ own health woes.

William was photographed walking the red carpet dressed in a navy suit jacket, dark dress pants, and a dark bowtie. He paused along the side of the red carpet to chat with spectators who had lined up to watch celebrities make their way into the event space.

Buckingham Palace confirmed late last week that William, 41, would be attending the ceremony. The prince is expected to “watch the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees,” according to a palace statement obtained by People.

William has served as the BAFTA president for 14 years. He became the fifth person to hold the role in 2010.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the BAFTAs last year, marking their first time at the awards show with their then-new royal titles. But William is attending alone for this year’s ceremony as his wife continues recuperating from a recent surgery.

Princess Kate, 42, underwent abdominal surgery in mid-January, a procedure that palace officials said was “successful." She isn’t expected to resume her public royal duties until later this spring. The palace has not provided further information regarding the health circumstances that necessitated her surgery.

Shortly after the princess’ hospital visit, the king also went in for surgery to address an enlarged prostate, which Buckingham Palace said was benign. A “separate issue of concern” was detected during the 75-year-old monarch’s hospital visit, and he was subsequently diagnosed with cancer.

The palace has not identified the type of cancer the king is battling but said he has already begun treatment. In the meantime, his public-facing royal duties have been postponed, though he is continuing to address “State business and official paperwork as usual."

Next: King Charles Has Cancer: What to Know About the Monarch's Health