Prince William will attend the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards ceremony in London on Sunday 16 February.As President of the film academy, the 31-year-old prince will play the starring role of presenting Dame Helen Mirren with a Fellowship Award.The accolade is the highest lifetime achievement award given to someone who has greatly contributed to the world of film, television or games. Past winners include David Attenborough, Martin Scorsese, Judi Dench and Elizabeth Taylor among others.
"This is the greatest professional honour I can imagine," said Dame Helen, who won an Oscar and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the prince's grandmother The Queen. "Certainly one I never dreamt of as a schoolgirl in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. To join that list of legendary names is overwhelming. "During the evening affair, which will be held at The Royal Opera House, Prince William will meet representatives from the academy and later watch the full awards ceremony. The father-of-one is in the middle of studying a bespoke agriculture course at Cambridge University, but has made time in his diary to attend.While his wife Kate Middleton has previously attended BAFTA-related events, it is likely that the Duchess of Cambridge will stay at home with the couple's six-month-old son Prince George or attend another royal engagement. Reports have said that William and Kate are planning more solo engagements to fulfil as many commitments as possible.
Kate's most notable attendance was at the BAFTA Brits To Watch event held in Los Angeles in 2011. The stunning Duchess, who was accompanying Prince William on a stateside tour, walked the red carpet in a lavender coloured dress by Alexander McQueen and a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman and Stephen Fry were also among the guests at the reception and black-tie banquet held at the 1920s art deco Belasco theatre.On the same overseas tour, William and Kate paid a visit to BAFTA-supported Inner City Arts in Los Angeles. The beautiful couple took part in a ceramics class with young children and in true Hollywood fashion, recast their hand prints in clay.