Prince William will not feature in this weekend’s BAFTA award ceremony following the death of his grandfather Prince Philip.
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.
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.
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 tearjerking tribute on social media.
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.”
Gun tributes have taken place up and down the country today to commemorate Prince Philip’s passing.
The Duke, who dedicated his life to Queen and country, previously serviced as an Officer in the Royal Navy.
Despite Prince William no longer appearing at the BAFTAs, viewers are still set for a star-studded bash.
Celebs including Bridget Jones’s Diary star, Renée Zellwegger and Leslie Odom Jr, who has been nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award, will be appearing at the ceremony.
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Leslie will be singing Speak Now from the film One Night in Miami.
BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo will host the opening night of the BAFTA awards on Saturday April 10.
Then Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman will take to the hosting helm on Sunday April 11.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk