The annual British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) will take place on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall. The Royal Family’s involvement with the awards dates back to 1959, when Prince Philip was appointed as its first president. Since then, the BAFTAs’ presidency has followed a long tradition of royal patronage, with the exception of one, Richard Attenborough, who was president from 2001-2010, all presidents have been members of the Royal Family.
The Duke of Edinburgh was followed by Lord Mountbatten (1966-1972), Princess Anne (1972-2001) and Prince William (2010-present).
Typically, the BAFTAs’ president would show their support by attending the awards.
However, this year, William has declined the invitation due to “diary constraints”.
The decision has reportedly left bosses “very disappointed” that the president of the academy would not be in attendance.
This is not the first time a member of the Royal Family has snubbed the awards.
In 2015, the Duchess of Sussex turned down the opportunity to attend the glittering event.
The former actress was invited during the height of her fame playing Rachel Zane in the American legal TV drama series, Suits.
However, having just left a refugee camp in Rwanda, Africa, where she’d spent time as an advocate for UN Women, Meghan couldn’t fathom the thought of walking the red carpet so soon after.
Writing on her now defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig, she said: “I had never been and had always romanticised the idea of it.
“And…
