PRINCE William made a light-hearted quip about Kate's health as he arrived at the Baftas without his wife at his side.
The heir, 41, headed along to the massive event alone as his wife rested at home, continuing to recover from her abdominal surgery.
It is the first major event that Kate has had to cancel following the surgery, but she is expected to resume royal duties after Easter.
And after waving to crowds along the red carpet, William made a joke about her heath.
He admitted he hadn't seen many of the nominated movies as he'd been busy at home following his wife's operation.
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The royal said: “I’ve done the fewest I’ve ever done before.
“With my wife it’s been a bit . . . hopefully, we’ll catch up. I’ll make my list tonight.”
Wills said he'd made the last-minute call to head along to the awards while Kate rested at home.
The heir looked dapper in black tie as he waved and greeted fans on the red carpet in London.
He was seen chatting to well-wishers, as well as guests, like former England captain David Beckham.
But he also said he was a “big fan of Christopher Nolan” and would be pleased if Oppenheimer won an award.
The heir also said Kate had been gutted to miss the event.
He told Elaine Bedell, chief executive of the Southbank Centre: “She does love the Baftas.”
William also told her that he had not seen Barbie but that he wanted to, adding that there were “lots of opinionated fans” outside the Royal Festival Hall.
He also took to social media after the awards, writing: "What a night!
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"Honoured to be in attendance at the UK's biggest celebration of global excellence in film."
This year's ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall sees Barbie star Margot Robbie nominated for best actress.
David Tennant will host the Southbank Centre event for the first time.
Awards will be presented by stars including David Beckham, Dua Lipa, Hugh Grant and Idris Elba.
It is the first time William has been seen since brother Harry's bombshell interview where he announced: "I love my family."
It comes as the King was also spotted for the time since Prince Harry Harry spoke to Good Morning America in Canada.
His Majesty and Queen Camilla appeared in good spirits as they walked through the wind and rain to a service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the royal estate in Norfolk.
Charles, 75, is staying at the 20,000 acre Sandringham as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
It comes as The Sun on Sunday revealed Prince Harry was "blocked" from joining the King at the Norfolk palace during his visit to the UK.
Palace aides feared “they’d never get rid of him” after Harry jetted over 5,000 miles from California to be with his cancer-stricken dad.
The 39-year-old planned for a long heart-to-heart with the King but got 45 minutes.
Just six minutes after Harry left the meeting, the King and Queen made their way by Bentley to a helicopter in the Buckingham Palace gardens before flying to Sandringham.
Speaking at the Winter Invictus Games' One Year to Go event in Whistler, Canada, the Duke added: "Throughout all these families, I see it all on a day-to-day basis.
I am just very grateful to be a dad.
Prince Harry
Harry also discussed family life and revealed the "incredible" sense of humour kids Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, have.
He added: "The kids are doing great. The kids are growing up like all kids do very very fast.
"They both got an incredible sense of humour and make us laugh and keep us grounded every single day like most kids do. I am just very grateful to be a dad."
He even revealed he had considered applying for American citizenship but stressed it was "not a high priority".
On Friday, singer Michael Bublé serenaded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - with the singer hailing the Duke a "visionary".
The Canadian crooner, 48, re-worded Frank Sinatra's epic "My Way" in a nod to Harry at a gala dinner to close the Invictus Games' "One Year To Go" event.
Bublé also expressed "healing wishes for your dad" in tribute to cancer-stricken King Charles.
Prince Harry, wearing a dark suit and a black tie, later gave a speech where he paid tribute to Invictus Games competitors.
