Television and radio presenter Clara Amfo paused the opening night of the British Academy Film Awards to pay tribute to Prince Philip.
The Radio 1 DJ told viewers that the Duke of Edinburgh “occupies a very special in BAFTA history and he will be missed” as the ceremony remembered the Queen’s late husband, who passed away on Friday.
Prince Philip was BAFTA’s first president, serving from 1959 to 1965 and he continued to support the organisation throughout his life.
Strictly star Clara and Rhianna Dhillon hosted the special programme from the Royal Albert Hall as the British Academy celebrated the hair and make-up artists, casting directors, costume and production designers who have been instrumental in creating the best films of 2020.
The event is split over two evenings this year. There’s also no red carpet and the great and good of the film industry won’t be seated in the Royal Albert Hall, but at home in front of their laptop screens.
The only live in-person award was for outstanding British contribution to cinema, which went to actor, producer, writer and director Noel Clarke who, in 2009, won Bafta’s rising star award.
It was confirmed earlier in the day that Prince William will not feature in this weekend’s BAFTA award ceremony following the death of his grandfather.
Daily Express’ Royal Reporter Richard Palmer confirmed the news via his Twitter page.
He tweeted: “Kensington Palace has confirmed that the Duke of Cambridge will no longer feature in this weekend’s @BAFTA award ceremony because of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.”
The Duke of Cambridge, who is the President of BAFTA, was set to give a virtual speech at the awards.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
It was reported by Deadline that Prince William was going to deliver an address on the resilience of the film industry over the last year, after it was hit hard, like so many industries, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Duke of Cambridge was to be joined in the video message by three-time BAFTA award-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan and makeup and hair designer Sharon Martin about filming in lockdown.
While a formal mourning period is yet to be announced, it’s perhaps unexpected that Prince William has dropped out, when his grandfather’s death happened just a day before the start of the awards.
(Image: Getty Images)
A statement from BAFTA read: ” Following the news that the Duke of Cambridge has withdrawn from this weekend’s awards ceremony, the organisation said in a statement: “In light of the Duke of Edinburgh’s passing, the Duke of Cambridge will no longer be part of BAFTA programming this weekend.
“Our thoughts are with the royal family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy at this time.”
The news of the Duke of Edinburgh’s tragic passing was confirmed by the Palace at midday on Friday.
On Saturday, the Royal Family broke its silence by sharing a heartfelt tribute on social media.
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The message, which was shared on the Royal Family’s official Twitter page, read: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
Despite Prince William no longer appearing at the BAFTAs, viewers are still set for a star-studded bash.
Celebs including Renée Zellwegger and Leslie Odom Jr, who has been nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award, will be appearing at the ceremony tomorrow.
Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman will take to the hosting helm on Sunday April 11.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
