Prince Philip honoured in BAFTA's tribute: 'He will be missed'

The late Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99 last Friday, has been honoured with a touching tribute at the star-studded 74th British Academy Film Awards in London.

BAFTAs hosts Dermot O'Leary and Edith Bowman opened the evening event at the Royal Albert Hall by addressing the Duke of Edinburgh's death.

BAFTA hosts Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to the late Prince Philip during Sunday's awards. Photo: BBC.
BAFTA hosts Edith Bowman and Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to the late Prince Philip during Sunday's awards. Photo: BBC.

"Before we start tonight we want to say that on behalf of BAFTA, we are extremely saddened by the passing of his royal highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on Friday," Dermot said.

"The Duke was BAFTA's very first president over 60 years ago and was the first royal patron, a line that goes all the way through to BAFTA's current president, his grandson the Duke of Cambridge," he added.

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Edith went on to recognise both Prince Philip and his wife, The Queen for their continued support of the BAFTA charity which has hosted its own awards ceremony each year since 1948.

"It was Prince Philip and Her Majesty The Queen's support throughout these years that in many ways allowed BAFTA, a leading charity in the arts, to continue in difficult times and to be here today in 2021.

"The Duke of Edinburgh occupies a very special place in BAFTA history and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with the royal family."

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh presents an award to British actor and producer Richard Attenborough (1923-2014) at the 16th British Academy Film Awards in London on 8th May 1963. Richard Attenborough co-produced the film 'The L-Shaped Room', one of the nominees for Best Film at the Awards. (Photo by Les Lee/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Prince Philip presents an award to British actor and producer Richard Attenborough at the 16th British Academy Film Awards in London on 8th May 1963. Photo: Getty Images.

A 'special place'

In 1959, Prince Philip became the president of the BAFTA's predecessor, the Society of Film and Television Arts (SFTA) which held its inaugural meeting at Buckingham Palace.

He was on hand to present awards at the 1963 ceremony, two years before his tenure as president ended after which the duke and the Queen continued to provide support.

It was their decision to donate their share of the profits from the 1969 documentary, Royal Family that facilitated the relocation of the academy's headquarters to Piccadilly, London in 1976.

Prince Philip's legacy lives on through his grandson, Prince William who has held the title of president since 2010. The Duke of Cambridge was expected to attend Sunday's event and deliver a speech but plans changed following his grandfather's death.

"In light of the Duke of Edinburgh's passing, the Duke of Cambridge will no longer be part of BAFTA programming this weekend.

"Our thoughts are with the royal family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy at this time," BAFTA said in a statement.

BAFTA's best dressed

Despite COVID-19 restrictions keeping many stars away from the BAFTAs red carpet in London, the red carpet fashion didn't disappoint.

Whether they attended in person or virtually from around the globe, here are the best-dressed celebs from the night.

Phoebe Dynevor

Phoebe Dynevor arrives for the EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Picture date: Sunday April 11, 2021. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor arrives for the EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Photo: Getty Images.

Dominique Fishback

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 11: Actress Dominique Fishback nominated for best actress in a supporting role for
Best Actress nominee Dominique Fishback poses from Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Getty Images.

Hugh Grant and wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Awards Presenter Hugh Grant and wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on April 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Hugh Grant and wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein twinned in black on the red carpet. Photo: Getty Images.

Anna Kendrick

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Award Presenter Anna Kendrick poses in her award show look for the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 on April 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Due to COVID-19 restrictions nominees will be attending virtually alongside a virtual audience. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Anna Kendrick presented an award virtually from Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images.

Niamh Algar

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 11: Actress Niamh Algar nominated for best actress in a supporting role for
Best actress Niamh Algar glammed up from Cape Town, South Africa. Photo: Getty Images.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Awards Presenter Gugu Mbatha-Raw attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on April 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw sparkled on the red carpet at Royal Albert Hall. Photo: Getty Images.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas with her husband Nick Jonas

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Awards Presenter Priyanka Chopra Jonas with her husband Nick Jonas attend the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on April 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her husband Nick Jonas were red carpet couple goals. Photo: Getty Images.

Cynthia Erivo

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Awards Presenter Cynthia Erivo attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on April 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Cynthia Erivo mixed metals on the red carpet. Photo: Getty Images.

Celeste

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Singer Celeste, who will perform
Singer Celeste posed up a storm before performing "Hear My Voice" from Best Film nominee "The Trial of the Chicago 7". Photo: Getty Images.

Wunmi Mosaku

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Actress Wunmi Mosaku nominated for best actress in a leading role for
Best Actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku swapped the red carpet for the great outdoors in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images.

Felicity Jones

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Felicity Jones attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 at the Royal Albert Hall on April 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Felicity Jones draped a black jacket over her tiered lacy gown. Photo: Getty Images.

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