Prince William and Kate Middleton cancel beloved royal tradition due to take place in a matter of days
Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales have cancelled a beloved royal tradition just days before it was set to take place in London on February 16.
Kensington Palace has confirmed royal couple will not be attending the 2025 BAFTA Awards ceremony on Sunday, nor will they walk the red carpet before the event.
William, who has been president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) since 2010, will make a cameo in a video package that will be aired at the awards - but that will be the extent of the royals' involvement.
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Prince William and Catherine, the Princess of Wales last attended the BAFTAs in 2023. AP
Royal fans hoping to see the couple dressed to the nines on the red carpet in a few days' time will be sorely disappointed by the cancellation, which is far from the first time the Prince and Princess of Wales have skipped the film awards.
Though they didn't miss a single BATFA Awards between 2017 and 2020, Catherine and William opted not to attend the 2021 ceremony as it fell just days after the death of Prince Philip.
In 2022, the couple were absent due to 'diary constraints', though they made a glorious return in 2023 with Catherine even re-wearing a stunning white Alexander McQueen gown she previously wore to the BAFTAs in 2019.
Last year, William attended the BAFTAs solo as Catherine had just undergone abdominal surgery and was still recovering.
"I'm sorry Catherine's not here. She does love the BAFTAs," he said in 2024.
The princess was later diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment, which she concluded in late 2024.
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Catherine has since confirmed she is cancer-free and royal watchers had hoped she would return to grace the BAFTAs red carpet this year. Sadly, they will have to wait at least another year.
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Kensington Palace has not provided a reason for William and Catherine's absence from the BAFTAs this year but some experts have speculated the decision could have something to do with their three children.
Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, six, start their half-term break this weekend and their parents may be reluctant to give up precious time at home as a family to attend the BAFTAs.
William and Kate attended the awards in 2020, then skipped the 2021 and 2022 ceremonies. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
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The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply focused on their young family since Catherine's cancer diagnosis last year, both taking time away from royal duties and the media spotlight to help guide their children through Catherine's cancer journey.
"The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family," she said in September, when she announced she had finished chemotherapy.
"The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you."
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