The Duke of Cambridge addressed the issues around diversity before presenting Kathleen Kennedy with the Bafta Fellowship.
He praised the “exceptional film-making” that had been highlighted during the ceremony, and reflected on his 10 years as Bafta president, joking that he did not know if he should be “proud or slightly alarmed” at how many of the winners “have portrayed members of my own family”.
Prince William said: “Both here in the UK and in many other countries across the world we are lucky to have incredible film-makers, actors, producers, directors and technicians – men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film.
“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.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the 2020 BAFTA Awards
1/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
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2/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
3/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
4/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
5/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
6/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
7/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
REUTERS
1/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
REUTERS
2/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
3/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
4/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
5/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
6/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
PA
7/7 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the 73rd British Academy Film Awards
REUTERS
“I know that both Pippa (Harris), chair of Bafta and Amanda (Berry), Bafta CEO, share that frustration and continue to work tirelessly to ensure that creative talent is discovered and supported.
“Bafta take this issue seriously, and following this year’s nominations, have launched a full and thorough review of the entire awards process to build on their existing work and ensure that opportunities are available to everyone.”
The evening also saw the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laugh off a joke about Harry.
BAFTAs 2020: Winners – In pictures
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AFP via Getty Images
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Renee Zellweger winner of Best Actress for Judy,
Invision/AP
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Callum McDougall, Charles Chapman, George Mackay, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Mark Strong and Andrew Scott, winners of Best Film for 1917, backstage at the Bafta Film Awards
Invision/AP
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Sam Mendes poses with his award for Best Film for ‘1917’
Reuters
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US actress Laura Dern (C) poses with the award for a Supporting Actress for her work on the film ‘Marriage Story’ at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards
AFP via Getty Images
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Andy Serkis, winner of the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award
Dave Benett
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Joaquin Phoenix with his award for Best Actor
PA
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Ella Balinska and Andrew Scott pose for a photo with Jacqueline Durran after presenting her with the award for Best Costume Design
PA
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Micheal Ward, winner of the EE Rising Star award
Dave Benett
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Daniel Kaluuya and Micheal Ward
Dave Benett
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Naomie Harris, Laura Dern, winner of Best Supporting Actress for “Marriage Story”, and Richard E. Grant pose in the Winners Room at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall
Dave Benet
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Taika Waititi, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Jojo Rabbit”
Dave Benett
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AFP via Getty Images
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Renee Zellweger winner of Best Actress for Judy,
Invision/AP
3/12
Callum McDougall, Charles Chapman, George Mackay, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, Mark Strong and Andrew Scott, winners of Best Film for 1917, backstage at the Bafta Film Awards
Invision/AP
4/12
Sam Mendes poses with his award for Best Film for ‘1917’
Reuters
5/12
US actress Laura Dern (C) poses with the award for a Supporting Actress for her work on the film ‘Marriage Story’ at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards
AFP via Getty Images
6/12
Andy Serkis, winner of the Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema award
Dave Benett
7/12
Joaquin Phoenix with his award for Best Actor
PA
8/12
Ella Balinska and Andrew Scott pose for a photo with Jacqueline Durran after presenting her with the award for Best Costume Design
PA
9/12
Micheal Ward, winner of the EE Rising Star award
Dave Benett
10/12
Daniel Kaluuya and Micheal Ward
Dave Benett
11/12
Naomie Harris, Laura Dern, winner of Best Supporting Actress for “Marriage Story”, and Richard E. Grant pose in the Winners Room at the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020 at Royal Albert Hall
Dave Benet
12/12
Taika Waititi, winner of the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Jojo Rabbit”
Dave Benett
Accepting the Best Supporting Actor accolade on behalf of Brad Pitt, who could not be there due to “family obligations”, Margot Robbie joked the actor would be naming his Bafta award Harry.
Reading Pitt’s words from a sheet of paper, Robbie, his co-star in Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood , closed the acceptance speech by saying: “Oh, and he says that he is going to name this Harry because he is really excited about bringing it back to the States with him.”
As the audience reacted, she added: “His words, not mine.”
Harry’s brother William, watching from the front row alongside the Duchess of Cambridge, appeared to enjoy the joke as both he and Kate were seen laughing.
