Kate Middleton and Prince William Send a Signal on the BAFTAs Red Carpet After Andrew’s Arrest

Janine HenniMon, February 23, 2026 at 5:10 PM UTC

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(Left) Kate Middleton and Prince William on Feb. 22, 2026; (Right) Prince Andrew on Sept. 16, 2025

Jaimi Joy/WPA Pool/Shutterstock; Chris Jackson/Getty

Kate Middleton and Prince William coordinated their outfits at the 2026 BAFTAs on Feb. 22, sending a message about their united front

The Prince and Princess of Wales made the move following the arrest of ex-Prince Andrew on Feb. 19

Prince William's uncle was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office relating to his former role as a trade envoy and released after about 11 hours in custody

Kate Middleton and Prince William synced their style for their first public appearance following the arrest of ex-Prince Andrew, sending a sartorial message.

On Feb. 22, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London, dressing in coordinating looks.

Princess Kate, 44, wore an ombré mauve Gucci gown, a recycled piece from her closet that she first debuted at the 100 Women in Finance's Philanthropic Initiatives' gala dinner in 2019. Its burgundy belt exactly matched Prince William's, 43, velvet blazer.

Journalist and author Elizabeth Holmes commented on the significance of the statement after the former Duke of York was detained days before.

"You don't anything about fashion to get the vibe that these two — the future of the monarchy — are a pair," Holmes wrote on her Instagram Stories over a photo of William and Kate on Feb. 22. "This kind of coordination is CALMING, which is what the BRF [British royal family] wants to project at this time of crisis."

The author of HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style described Princess Kate's ethereal gown as "peak princess," with the romantic look serving as "a not-so-subtle reminder of the fairytale ideal of royalty... that seems soooo far away right now."

Kate Middleton and Prince William attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Feb. 22, 2026.

Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty

Despite the calming effect of such coordination, Prince William admitted that he's not currently in a "calm state." At the event, the heir revealed that he has not yet watched Hamnet because he “needed to be in a calm mood” to view it, according to the Daily Mail.

“I need to be in quite a calm state, and I am not at the moment. I will save it,” Prince William said.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales' matching red carpet looks also signified a focus on their unity and shifting attention back to their royal work. The pair supported the awards show as the Prince of Wales is the president of BAFTA.

The Princess of Wales also brought the shimmer and royal family history with jewels from the late Queen Elizabeth's collection. Kate accessorized with the dangling Greville Chandelier earrings, which previously belonged to her late grandmother-in-law, and Queen Mary's Diamond Choker bracelet, which was originally designed as a choker necklace.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards on Feb. 22, 2026.

Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty

Princess Kate's repeat gown and heirloom jewels created a regal fashion statement that conveyed confidence following a turbulent week for the royal family, when Prince William's uncle Andrew was arrested.

On Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, the former Prince Andrew, who has been called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor since King Charles stripped his princely title in October 2025, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Authorities are investigating a claim that Andrew shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstei​​n during his time serving as a trade envoy for the U.K., a role he held from 2001 to 2011.

Andrew's ties to American financier and convicted sex offender Epstein sparked his step back from public life in 2019. He has continuously denied any wrongdoing regarding their relationship and was released after spending about 11 hours in custody last week.

Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Sept. 16, 2025.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

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In a statement released after his brother's arrest, King Charles, 77, pledged the palace's "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" in the police investigation. PEOPLE understood that the Prince and Princess of Wales were not expected to make a statement following Andrew's arrest but to support the message that the King sent.

At the 2026 BAFTAs, Prince William and Princess Kate were asked by an attendee on the red carpet, "Is the monarchy in peril?" However, they did not react to the question.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”