2024 BAFTA Film Awards: Oppenheimer Leads the Nominations as Royal Attendance in Doubt

The nominations for the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards have just been unveiled, and the excitement is palpable.

This prestigious event will honor the finest performances and celebrate the standout films of the past year.

Leading the pack is Christopher Nolan's highly acclaimed film, “Oppenheimer,” which has garnered an impressive number of nominations, positioning it as a frontrunner for multiple awards.

Following closely behind are “Poor Things” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” both of which have also received significant recognition.

The grand ceremony is scheduled for February 18 at the Royal Festival Hall, located within London's Southbank Centre.

For those eager to catch the action, the event will be broadcast exclusively in the UK on BBC One and available for streaming on BBC Player.

International viewers can look forward to watching the awards on Britbox International across several countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, with more broadcasting partners expected to be announced soon.

Interestingly, while many American-directed films made the nomination list, the much-discussed Meghan and Harry Netflix series was notably absent.

This exclusion means that King Charles will not be in attendance at the BAFTA ceremony, a decision that some speculate may stem from the royal family's internal dynamics, particularly with Prince William serving as BAFTA's president.

Rumors are swirling that Prince Harry has reached out to his brother, Prince William, seeking permission to attend the BAFTAs.

Speculation suggests that this request comes amidst the backdrop of Prince William focusing on royal duties while Catherine and King Charles navigate health challenges.

Sources indicate that this idea may very well have originated with Meghan Markle, who is keen to use the star-studded event to reconnect with Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet.

If Princess Catherine were in good health, she would undoubtedly accompany her husband to the awards.

However, reports from the Daily Mail suggest that William might miss the BAFTAs, along with several other commitments, to support his wife during her recovery from a recent abdominal surgery.

Kensington Palace confirmed that William will prioritize his family, remaining by Catherine's side during her hospital stay and in the days following her return home.

As a result, he has postponed numerous engagements, including his appearance at the BAFTA ceremony, the upcoming Six Nations rugby matches, and various charity events.

Given his role as the patron of the Welsh rugby team, it's likely that he will also miss out on the Six Nations games next month, which kick off on February 2.

This year's Six Nations Championship promises to be thrilling, with France facing Ireland in a key match at the Orange Velodrome in Marseille.

Simultaneously, England will battle Italy in Rome, and Wales will take on Scotland in Cardiff—events that the Prince and Princess of Wales are not expected to attend.

In addition to the BAFTAs, Prince William had planned to conduct several investitures throughout January and February.

However, with his focus now on his family's well-being, Prince Hassan is expected to step in for him at these engagements.