Prince William acknowledged that he was not in a “calm state” while attending the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs).
The Prince of Wales appeared on the red carpet at London’s Southbank Centre Royal Festival Hall with Kate Middleton, marking his first public engagement since the arrest of his uncle, former Prince Andrew, on Thursday.
Asked whether he had watched “Hamnet,” William — who serves as president of British Academy of Film and Television Arts — said he felt he “needed to be in a calm mood” to view the historical drama directed by Chloé Zhao.
“I need to be in quite a calm state, and I am not at the moment. I will save it,” he told the Daily Mail.
The Princess of Wales, however, watched the Shakespeare-inspired film the night before, an experience that left her in “floods of tears,” William said.
“I thought it was a bad idea, actually. Ended up with very puffy eyes,” Kate said of the film, which she described as a “presentation of intergenerational grief.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Princess of Wales attended an England-Ireland championship rugby match at Twickenham in London, her first public appearance since the arrest of former Prince Andrew.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody on February 19, several hours after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The former prince has faced heightened public scrutiny over his connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein, who died by apparent suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019.
Emails released by the Department of Justice as part of the Epstein files appeared to show Andrew sharing reports from official trade visits with Epstein, including one message sent just five minutes after the information was received.
King Charles III said he felt “deepest concern” following news of his brother’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” the king said in a statement.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” he added. “As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
Despite the developments, the king continued with official engagements on Thursday, including opening London Fashion Week.
“During the visit, His Majesty toured exhibitions, including Brand63Africa and Stella McCartney, curated to highlight craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability within British fashion,” the palace said on X.
The government is also reviewing the possibility of removing Andrew — currently eighth in line to the throne — from the order of succession. Edward VIII was the last royal removed after abdicating in 1936, paving the way for the accession of Queen Elizabeth II’s father.
