Prince William to make two appearances at this year's BAFTA Awards

Prince William will be making two appearances this weekend at the 74th EE British Academy Film Awards.

As President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Duke of Cambridge attends the BAFTAs each year - walking the red carpet with wife Kate Middleton and then giving a speech on stage.

This year, the awards show will look a bit different due to coronavirus restrictions.

The British version of the Oscars will see the show split into two events across the weekend and will be largely virtual.

At Saturday's Opening Night, Prince William will host a discussion with three-time BAFTA award-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan as well as make up and hair designer Sharon Martin. They will talk about filming in lockdown and the craft of film-making.

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Eight BAFTA winners will be announced on Saturday, as will the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema recipient, Noel Clarke, who will be at the Royal Albert Hall for the only in-person moment of the show.

At Sunday night's main event, the Duke of Cambridge will deliver a speech via video, in which he will celebrate the resilience of the film industry over the past year, amid the global pandemic.

Australian film-maker Shannon Murphy is one of the four women nominated in this year's Best Director category, which last year caused controversy for it's all-male nominees.

Diversity was also an issue at last year's BAFTA Awards, something Prince William himself called out in his speech.

"Both here in the UK and in many other countries across the world, we are lucky to have incredible film makers, actors, producers, directors and technicians – men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film," he said.

"Yet in 2020, and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process — that simply cannot be right in this day and age."

The Duke of Cambridge revealed a full review had been launched and this year's nominees created history for inclusion and diversity.