Prince William looked thrilled to be opening BAFTA’s new venue in London, this afternoon, launching an exhibition celebrating award-winning films.
The Duke of Cambridge, 37, visited BAFTA Piccadilly – one door down from the organisation’s existing headquarters – to open the new public exhibition, Behind the Screens.
Putting on a dapper display, the royal kept his look smart with a navy suit teamed with a striped blue tie and crisp white shirt.
The new building, Piccadilly, will act as BAFTA’s headquarters for the next two years, while the current premises next door undergo a two-year renovation.
Prince William looked thrilled to be opening BAFTA’s new venue in London, this afternoon, launching an exhibition celebrating award-winning films
The Duke of Cambridge is all smiles as he visits the BAFTA Piccadilly – one door down from the organisation’s existing headquarters – to open the new public exhibition, Behind the Screen
While at the event, William is set to view scripts, storyboards and costumes from a range of film and TV productions from the last 75 years, including The Clangers, Killing Eve and Oscar-winner The Favourite.
During a speech at the venue, the prince, who has been president of BAFTA since 2010, joked: ‘It’s safe to say that I felt quite under dressed when stood in front of those Killing Eve costumes!’
The duke also attended a reception for people who have taken part in the Prince William Scholarships in Film, Games and Television programme – as he helped relaunch the education and talent scheme six years ago.
BAFTA: Behind the Screens is the first time BAFTA-winning and nominated materials have been collated from across the world and displayed to the public for free.
Putting on a dapper display, the royal kept his look smart with a navy suit teamed with a striped blue tie and crisp white shirt
Prince William (pictured arriving at the venue this afternoon) has been president of BAFTA since 2010
Among the crafts on display are costumes worn by Jodie Comer in Killing Eve, including Molly Goddard’s iconic pink dress, plus original development sketches and scripts from the Clangers, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
BAFTA Film Award nominees and winners are also celebrated, with insight into Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character preparation for his BAFTA-winning performance in 12 Years A Slave, testimony of Nadine Labaki’s work with non-professional child actors when shooting Capernaum, plus hair and make-up design from The Favourite.
The exhibition also features sketches, models and interviews with the creators of award-winning games Lumino City and Monument Valley.
Prince William speaks during a tour of a new exhibition at the charity’s temporary HQ
During a speech at the venue, the prince, who has been president of BAFTA since 2010, joked: ‘It’s safe to say that I felt quite under dressed when stood in front of those Killing Eve costumes!’
The Duke of Cambridge, in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Televisions Arts (BAFTA), speaks at BAFTA Piccadilly, London
BAFTA-winning and nominated exhibition contributors attended the launch, including Killing Eve costume designer Phoebe De Gaye; 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor; and Daniel Postgate, scriptwriter on the Clangers
BAFTA-winning and nominated exhibition contributors attended the launch, including Killing Eve costume designer Phoebe De Gaye; 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor; and Daniel Postgate, scriptwriter on the Clangers.
BAFTA-winning television producer Sally Woodward-Gentle, producer on Killing Eve, said: ‘All of the team at Sid Gentle and Killing Eve were delighted with the five BAFTA wins at the Television Awards this year, and it is an honour to have Phoebe de Gaye’s work showcased as part of BAFTA’s new exhibition.
‘I am delighted that the public will get to see the costumes which help bring Villanelle’s character to life, alongside many other deserving BAFTA-winning and nominated projects.’
William speaks with 12 Years a Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor during the London-based event
The duke walks with BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry as he arrives to tour the new exhibition
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: ‘We are excited to be launching BAFTA Piccadilly, the first time a BAFTA café and exhibition have been open to the public.
‘BAFTA: Behind the Screens showcases BAFTA-winning and nominated works from some of the many talented craftspeople BAFTA has recognised over the years.
‘The venue, opened by BAFTA’s President HRH The Duke of Cambridge, will inspire future generations and emerging talent, as well as those who are interested in and want to discover more about film, games and television.’