Prince William says he’s ‘not in a calm state’ as he arrives at the BAFTAs amid Andrew arrest drama: Prince of Wales says he’s not in right frame of mind to watch weepy contender Hamnet – as Kate reveals it left her in floods of tears

Prince William said he was ‘not in a calm state’ to watch Hamnet following months of turmoil over his wife’s cancer and his uncle’s recent arrest.

His glamorous appearance at the EE BAFTA Film Awards tonight with his wife, the Princess of Wales, signaled the Royal Family’s determination to put their current difficulties aside.

But it was clear that the issues preoccupying Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were not far from Prince William’s mind, as he admitted that he had yet to watch best picture nominee Hamnet because he “needed to be in a calm mood”.

Speaking on the carpet ahead of the star-studded event at the Royal Festival Hall, he said: ‘I need to be in a pretty calm state and I’m not at the moment. ‘I will save him.’

But he said Catherine watched the highly emotional film on Saturday night and was ‘brought to tears’.

Hamnet describes the tragic death of Shakespeare’s son in childhood and the pain of his parents.

“I actually thought it was a bad idea,” the Princess joked as she watched the film before the ceremony. ‘Your eyes are very swollen. It was shot so beautifully. Music too. ‘The score is amazing.’

The princess looked stunning in a floor-length pink Gucci dress, which she previously wore to the 100 Women in Finance Gala in 2019, with her long hair wildly curled and loose.

William wore a complementary dark red velvet tuxedo jacket that matched his wife’s velvet belt and clutch bag.

The princess looked dazzling in a pink long Gucci dress, which she previously wore at the 100 Women in Finance Gala in 2019, with her long hair wildly curled and loose.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and William, Prince of Wales attended the BAFTA Film Awards

The princess shared her appreciation for the Chloe Zhao film’s ‘presentation of intergenerational grief’.

He added: ‘We still have a long list of films to finish.’

It was the couple’s first appearance together since Andrew’s dramatic arrest last week.

William said he had yet to watch Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, and described the vampire movie Sinners as ‘a little dark’.

I watched ‘One Battle After Another’, it was very good. “We didn’t expect it to start this way,” he said.

The Princess also revealed how Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are now showing more interest in movies.

Emily Stillman, Chair of Bafta’s Film Committee, told her: ‘The last time I saw you, you were pregnant with George and doing the Harry Potter spells.’

She was referring to the royal couple’s 2013 visit with Prince Harry to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, where they toured the Harry Potter set.

‘I was just saying how much the kids will love looking around,’ he replied.

‘They like the idea of ​​going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens.’

He also praised the studios for ‘showcasing all the different career opportunities’ in the film.

The Prince and Princess walked the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall, where they were welcomed by Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

Prince William of Wales and BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip

(From left) Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales take their seats as they attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Elaine Bedell (CEO, Southbank Centre) attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards

(From left) Hannah Waddingham, William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales

Inside, the all-female BAFTA executives chatted with CEO Jane Millichip and President Sara Putt, Film Committee Chair Emily Stillman and Executive Director of Awards and Content Emma Baehr.

Speaking about Hamnet again to Southbank Center CEO Elaine Bedell and sponsor BT Group CEO Allison Kirkby, Catheine praised the child actors, saying, ‘The children did a great job.’

He continued: ‘I loved the connection with nature… you see very simple and human emotions.’

Again referring to his own children, he added: ‘Kids are becoming interested in movies and this is a really great way to have tough conversations with them.’

The Prince has been President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts since 2010 and the royal couple have been regular fixtures at the prestigious awards ceremony over the years. However, the Princess has not been able to attend the ceremony for the last two years as she has recovered from her cancer diagnosis.

The couple sat in the front row at the ceremony, which was hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming and featured musical performances from KPop Demon Hunters and Jessie Ware singing a touching episode of In Memoriam.

There was laughter at one point as Cumming introduced The Crown star Erin Doherty to the stage, saying: ‘There can’t be too many actresses playing a fearsome gang leader Princess Anne and a terrified psychologist.

‘I am sad! This should be ‘the scary gang leader, comma, Princess Anne and a terrified psychologist’.

The public engagement comes at a tense time for the Royal Family and amid fresh calls for King Charles to reveal how much he knew about Andrew’s alleged misconduct before his arrest.

The monarch made an unprecedented statement confirming his ‘wholehearted support and co-operation’ with the investigation into Andrew just hours after he was detained on Thursday; It is understood that Buckingham Palace did not know that the former Duke of York would be arrested.

Andrew was photographed returning from Aylsham Police Investigation Center following 11 hours of questioning following his arrest on Thursday

Police are now searching his former seven-bedroom Windsor residence, Royal Lodge. Senior criminal defense lawyer Marcus Johnstone said they had scope to expand the investigation if they found any evidence of further crimes.

King Charles has said he will give police access to all files and records needed for any investigation into his disgraced brother. In this Epstein file photo, Andrew appears to be staring at a woman on all fours at Epstein’s New York home

The King’s statement added: ‘I have learned with deep concern of the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of misconduct in public office.

‘What will now come is a full, fair and appropriate process to ensure that this matter is investigated appropriately and by the relevant authorities. As I said before, we have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation on this matter.

‘Let me be clear: The law must take its course.’

William and Kate are understood to support the King’s statement.

King Charles has said he will give police access to all files and records needed for any investigation into his disgraced brother.

The arrest comes after Thames Valley Police said it was ‘assessing’ reports that Andrew shared secret trading reports and investment opportunities with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011, when he was Britain’s special trade envoy to Asia.

Andrew was questioned for 11 hours following his arrest and was photographed unconscious in a Range Rover as he left Aylsham Police Investigation Centre.

He was taken from Wood Farm on the royal estate of Sandringham in Norfolk after being evicted by King Charles from his residence Royal Lodge in Windsor earlier this month.

Police searched Wood Farm and are searching the seven-bedroom Royal Lodge mansion as part of the investigation.

Police now have wide leeway to expand their investigation and will “follow the evidence” if they come across another crime while combing through the former prince’s files and belongings, The Observer reported.