Prince William calls for diversity at the BAFTAs; Duchess Kate wears a 'sustainable' gown
The BAFTAs are back, and so are the royals.
Duchess Kate dazzled in white and gold at the 2020 British Academy Film Awards, the U.K.'s version of the Oscars, at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday.
She wore an embroidered Alexander McQueen gown, coupled with silver clover-shaped earrings and a matching necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels, along with glittering heels and a matching clutch.
BAFTA guests were invited to "dress sustainably": That the duchess did. She also had worn the dress to a 2012 state dinner in Malaysia, paired at that time with another glittering clutch, a gold bracelet and earrings.
Meanwhile, Prince William, president of BAFTA, addressed concerns about the lack of diversity at the awards, using his speech to bemoan the absence of minority talent in the top four acting categories.
"Both here in the U.K.and in many other countries across the world, we are lucky to have incredible filmmakers, actors, producers, directors and technicians – men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities, enriching our lives through film," William said. "Yet, in 2020 and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process. That simply cannot be right in this day and age."
He added that the BAFTA organization and leaders "take this issue seriously" and have launched a "full and thorough review of the entire awards process."
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William is celebrating his 10th year as president of the independent arts charity, which aims to bring the best in film, games and TV to public attention and to support creative talent in the U.K. and abroad.
"Tonight we celebrate another year of exceptional filmmaking, and I'm thrilled that all those involved have been recognized," he said, adding that he "must admit, I don't know whether I should be proud or slightly alarmed about the number of winners over the last decade who have portrayed members of my own family."
The duke and duchess of Cambridge have attended the annual glitzy awards ceremony nearly every year since 2011, including the past four years. Every year Kate has impressed with her gowns.
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During the ceremony, Will presented the Fellowship award to American film producer Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm since 2012 and co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall. Her first film was 1982's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."
Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by the academy to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
In addition to its awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round learning and new talent program, including a campaign to support young people from all backgrounds entering entertainment industries, which Will helped relaunch in 2013. A scholarship program features the "Prince William Scholarships in Film, Games and Television."
Will and Kate have supported BAFTA’s charitable activities by attending events across the charity’s learning program, including Young Game Designers and BAFTA Kids events, as well as others related to building cross-cultural collaborations with the creative industries in China.
In January, Will attended a meeting with commissioning editors from across the broadcast industry to discuss the environment – another of his philanthropic passions – and the way in which TV and programming can have a positive effect on healing the planet.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duchess Kate, Prince William wow on the BAFTA Awards red carpet
