Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Prince William WILL attend the Bafta ceremony together after claims the Duchess will overshadow the movie stars
William had been expected to attend in his role as President of Bafta after missing the event for the past two years
PRINCE William has agreed to attend the Bafta ceremony next month after insisting his wife Kate would join him, despite a row with the event’s organisers.
William, formally The Duke of Cambridge, had been expected to attend in his role as President of Bafta after missing the event for the past two years.
But his attendance was cast into doubt after The Sun learnt senior staff at the organisation feared Kate’s attendance could overshadow the movie stars.
Last night officials confirmed the couple will attend the event at London’s Royal Albert Hall on February 12, after William put his foot down.
And sources say grovelling event organisers were “falling over themselves” to assure him she was welcome at the ceremony, where A-listers including Emily Blunt and Naomie Harris will be amongst the guests.
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A source said: “William was unimpressed at any suggestion Kate wouldn’t be welcome to join him - he put his foot down and made it clear he wasn’t prepared to come without her.
“Two senior figures at Bafta raised concerns in planning meetings that having Kate at the event could detract from proceedings on stage.
“But Bafta were mortified that their discussions had got back to the palace and couldn’t do enough to try and accommodate them both.
“They were falling over themselves to welcome her by the end of it.”
Bafta’s chief executive Amanda Berry is understood to have intervened personally in a bid to smooth relations between the organisation and Kensington Palace.
The Sun revealed the row on Tuesday, with Palace officials refusing to say at that stage whether either of the royals would attend the star-studded event which is hosted by Stephen Fry.
William and Kate will now walk the red carpet at the event and attend the ceremony as guests of honour, presenting the Bafta Fellowship award on stage.
Kensington Palace confirmed yesterday: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will attend the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at The Royal Albert Hall.
“The Duke, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and The Duchess will meet Bafta representatives and watch the ceremony. The Duke will also present the Fellowship.”
William has previously come under criticism for his failure to attend the Baftas despite his role at the top of the organisation.