Prince William has admitted he is “not calm at the moment” in a rare and candid comment, marking his first public words since the dramatic arrest of his uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
William, attending in his role as BAFTA’s president, cut a striking figure in a burgundy velvet tuxedo, while Kate stunned in a floor-length powder-pink gown during the couple’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it walk along the red carpet.
But the glamour could not fully mask the tension.
An Awkward Question — And a Chilly Silence
As the Prince and Princess made their way past cameras, a reporter could be heard calling out: “Is the monarchy in peril?”
Neither William nor Kate responded. They did not break stride, acknowledge the question, or glance toward the source — a moment that only heightened speculation around the royal mood following Andrew’s arrest last week.
The couple have long distanced themselves from Andrew, and insiders say the latest developments have been deeply unsettling.
‘I Need to Be Calm — And I’m Not’
Inside the ceremony, William was asked about one of the most talked-about films of the awards season — Hamnet, a deeply emotional adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about the death of Shakespeare’s young son.
Kate revealed she had watched it the night before and had been left overwhelmed.
“I ended up in floods of tears,” she admitted. “Very puffy eyes. It was so beautifully shot — and the music, the score, is fantastic.”
William, however, said he had deliberately avoided it.
“I need to be in quite a calm state,” he explained, “and I am not at the moment. I will save it.”
The remark — brief but loaded — offered a rare glimpse into the Prince’s mindset as the Royal Family navigates one of its most turbulent moments in years.
Kate joked: “I thought it was a bad idea, actually,” referring to watching the film so close to the ceremony.
She went on to praise director Chloé Zhao for her portrayal of “intergenerational grief,” adding that the couple still has “a long list of films to get through.”
What They Have — And Haven’t — Watched
William revealed he has yet to see Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, while describing vampire thriller Sinners as “a bit dark.”
He did, however, praise One Battle After Another, admitting the couple had not expected it to begin the way it did.
Style, Subtle Signals — And Family Life
Kate re-wore a Gucci gown previously seen at the 100 Women in Finance Gala in 2019, pairing it with a matching belt and clutch. William’s jacket echoed her look, subtly coordinating in deep red tones.
The Princess also shared that Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are becoming increasingly interested in films and what happens behind the scenes.
“They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens,” she said, praising the film industry for showcasing the wide range of career paths available.
Emily Stillman, Chair of BAFTA’s Film Committee, reminisced about meeting Kate during a 2013 visit to the Harry Potter studios, when the Princess was pregnant with George.
“I was saying how much the children would love to look around,” Kate replied warmly.
A Smile for the Cameras — But Strain Beneath the Surface
While William and Kate were seen smiling and chatting as they arrived, royal watchers could not ignore the undercurrent of tension surrounding their appearance.
With Andrew’s arrest still unfolding, questions swirling about the monarchy’s future, and William’s unguarded admission that he is “not calm,” the BAFTAs appearance felt less like a celebration — and more like a carefully managed moment amid a deepening royal storm.
Source: Adapted from Daily Mirror reporting
