BAFTA Awards Pay Tribute To Late Prince Philip, Who Was The Academy's 'Very First President Over 60 Years Ago'
The glitz and glam of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards was interrupted on April 10 to honor Prince Philip after his death.
"Tonight we want to say on behalf of BAFTA that we are extremely saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on Friday," host Clara Amfo stated on the first night of the two-day event.
"The Duke was BAFTA's very first president over 60 years ago, and was the first in a line of royal patronages all the way through to BAFTA's current president, his grandson, the Duke of Cambridge," Amfo pointed out.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: PRINCE PHILIP LIVED AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE — SEE PHOTOS OF HIS WEDDING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH & MORE
"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 celebrating another outstanding year of achievement in film," the host continued.
"The Duke of Edinburgh occupies a very special place in BAFTA history," she stated. "He will be missed. Our thoughts are with the royal family."
The late royal, who died at age 99, was also included in the "in memoriam" segment of the night.
Prince William, who has attended the BAFTA Awards alongside wife Kate Middleton in the past, was scheduled to make a virtual appearance at the awards show on Sunday, but he canceled due to his grandfather's passing. He also took part in a pre-recorded interview that was set to air on Saturday's showing.
The day after the accolades were given out, William shared a never-before-seen photo of his late grandfather sitting in a carriage alongside his own son Prince George.
LONDON'S FAMOUS LANDMARK PICCADILLY CIRCUS PAYS TRIBUTE TO PRINCE PHILIP WITH GIANT BILLBOARD — SEE PHOTOS
"I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days," he captioned the sweet post. "I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!"
The late Duke of Edinburgh will be laid to rest on April 17.
