Royal fans hoping to see Prince William and Kate Middleton at the 2025 BAFTAs will be left disappointed, as the couple is set to miss the star-studded event on February 16 for a significant personal reason.
Despite initial reports suggesting the Prince and Princess of Wales would attend, palace insiders confirmed that William will instead shift his focus to highlighting up-and-coming film talent.
Royal editor Kate Mansey took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain the couple’s absence, revealing that the BAFTAs coincide with the first weekend of the U.K.’s half-term school holidays.
With their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—attending Lambrook School in Berkshire, the timing suggests that the family is prioritizing private time over the glamorous event.
Schools across the U.K. go on break from February 17 to February 21, making this the perfect opportunity for the Wales family to spend quality time together away from royal duties.
The news comes just a year after William attended the 2024 BAFTAs solo while Kate recovered from abdominal surgery. In previous years, the royal couple has been a highlight of the ceremony, with Kate famously dazzling in a white Alexander McQueen gown in 2023.
Their absence this time around has sparked speculation, with some questioning whether there’s more to their decision than just a school holiday.
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Interestingly, their withdrawal from the BAFTAs follows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s high-profile joint appearance at the Invictus Games opening ceremony.
The Sussexes were all smiles at the event, with Meghan embracing a more playful and affectionate demeanor, drawing mixed reactions from royal watchers.
Given the ongoing tensions between the brothers, some have suggested that William and Kate may be stepping back from the limelight to avoid overshadowing or reacting to the Sussexes’ latest public outing.
Meanwhile, King Charles is dealing with his own set of royal headaches, including Prince Andrew’s latest financial maneuverings and growing concerns over Prince Harry’s security demands.
With so much turmoil within the family, William and Kate’s decision to skip the BAFTAs could also be a strategic move to avoid unnecessary distractions.
Despite their absence, the Prince of Wales remains committed to his role as President of BAFTA. Instead of walking the red carpet, William will continue working behind the scenes to support emerging talent in the film industry.
However, the decision is likely to disappoint fans who were eager to see the future King and Queen at one of the biggest nights in British entertainment.
As speculation swirls, one thing is clear that the Wales family is keeping their priorities close to home. Whether this signals a shift in their public engagements or simply a well-timed break remains to be seen. But for now, all eyes will be on the BAFTAs, where the absence of its most royal attendees will surely be felt.
