Royal watchers had hoped to see the Prince and Princess of Wales on the BAFTAs red carpet alongside British film and television stars on Sunday evening. However, the royal couple declined the invitation, marking their first absence from the event since 2017.
As President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, it was expected that Prince William would attend the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall. However, the future King is reportedly enjoying a sunny Caribbean escape with Princess Kate and their three children, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The family is said to have flown business class via British Airways to Saint Lucia before taking a private flight to Mustique—a privately-owned island known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and strict no-fly zone that guarantees privacy for guests and residents.
This is not the first time the Wales family has chosen the Caribbean for a vacation. In 2019, they reportedly stayed in a £27,000-per-week luxury villa in Mustique, where Prince George celebrated his sixth birthday. The couple released a holiday photo of George as his official birthday portrait.
The villa, Villa Antilles, owned by William’s friend Andrew Dunn, features a 60-foot infinity pool, a jacuzzi, private staff, and breathtaking views of the neighboring islands of Bequia and Saint Vincent. During that trip, the family was joined by Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.
In 2022, William and Kate stayed at the Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas during their Caribbean royal tour, reportedly at a £19,000-per-night rate. While attending a State Dinner in Kingston, Jamaica, Kate expressed her desire to return to the Caribbean with their children.
“It was great. I wish I could stay longer,” Kate said at the time. “We were tempted by the beaches. Amazing scenery. Next time we have to come back with the children.”
