Princess Kate made a radiant comeback to the BAFTAs red carpet on February 22 with Prince William by her side, and fashion specialists say her intentionally styled ensemble delivered a strong message about the Royal Family’s future.
The Princess of Wales attended the 79th British Academy Film Awards at Royal Festival Hall in London, marking her first appearance at the event in three years. She wore a blush pink, floor-length Gucci gown she had previously debuted at a 100 Women in Finance gala dinner at the V&A Museum in February 2019, pairing it with a burgundy velvet clutch and shimmering silver heels.
The standout element of her look, however, was the jewelry. Kate chose the Greville Chandelier Earrings, an exquisite Cartier-designed pair crafted between 1918 and 1929. Originally owned by Dame Margaret Greville and willed to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1942, the earrings later became a treasured accessory of Queen Elizabeth II throughout her reign.
Kate also wore Queen Mary’s Diamond Bar Choker Bracelet on her wrist, a bold Art Deco piece from the 1920s. Made for Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V, the bracelet showcases geometric diamond patterns inspired by the Jazz Age. Kate first borrowed the bracelet in 2015 for a state banquet honoring President Xi of China.
Fashion consultant Lisa Talbot told the Daily Mail that Kate’s appearance was far from accidental, especially in light of the recent controversy involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest dominated the news in the days leading up to the event. Andrew was detained at Wood Farm, his home on the King’s private Sandringham estate, on his 66th birthday. After roughly 11 hours of questioning, he was released but remains under investigation.
Prince William matched his wife’s elegance in a deep red velvet jacket that coordinated with Kate’s velvet belt and clutch. Their joint appearance marked their first outing together since the arrest.
Kate’s last BAFTA appearance with William was in 2023. She skipped the 2024 ceremony while receiving cancer treatment, leaving William to represent the Royal Family alone as BAFTA President. The pair did not attend in 2025.
During the event, Kate spoke openly with Emily Stillman, Chair of BAFTA’s Film Committee, about her three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and their growing enthusiasm for movies. Stillman recalled their 2013 visit to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, reminding Kate, “Last time I saw you, you were pregnant with George and you were doing your Harry Potter spells.”
Kate mentioned that her children would be thrilled to explore the studios. “They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens,” she said.
Prince William also revealed Kate’s emotional reaction to “Hamnet,” which was nominated for Best Film. He shared that the movie left her in “floods of tears.”
Kate admitted that choosing to watch the film the night before the ceremony probably wasn’t wise. “I ended up with very puffy eyes,” she said, calling the film “really very very powerful” and praising its “fantastic” and “raw” musical score.
When asked whether he had watched “Hamnet,” William explained why he had postponed it. “I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment.”
The prince and princess walked the red carpet, where they were greeted by Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. They mingled with stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close, and Ethan Hawke. Scottish actor Alan Cumming hosted the black-tie ceremony.
Their presence offered a moment of glamour and normalcy for the Royal Family during a challenging period. Kate’s decision to wear heirloom jewelry from the late Queen Elizabeth II, paired with her re-worn Gucci dress, conveyed both respect for tradition and a commitment to modern sustainability—hallmarks of her public image as the future queen.
