BAFTAs Chaos: Shock Wins, Royal Confessions & Paddington’s Marmalade Mishap Steal the Night

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards delivered glamour, surprises, and heartfelt tributes. From unexpected wins to royal revelations, here are the standout highlights from Britain’s biggest night in film.

A Shock Loss for Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet, widely tipped to win Best Actor, left empty‑handed as Hull‑born Robert Aramayo triumphed for his role in I Swear. Aramayo’s victory was dramatic, especially as Chalamet’s film Marty Supreme received 11 nominations but failed to win a single award.

Royals Share Their Film Picks

The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public appearance since Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor’s arrest. Prince William, BAFTA’s president, revealed he enjoyed the Hans Zimmer score in the F1 movie and described One Battle After Another as “weird but good.” He admitted he hasn’t yet watched Sinners and said he needs to be “in a calm state” before tackling Hamnet. Catherine, meanwhile, confessed that watching Hamnet left her with “puffy eyes.”

Paddington Bear Steals the Show

Paddington Bear charmed the red carpet before presenting the Children’s and Family Film Award. True to form, he joked about getting marmalade on the trophy before handing it to Boong. His playful appearance was a crowd favorite.

Alan Cumming Addresses Strong Language

Host Alan Cumming apologized for strong language heard during the ceremony, explaining it was linked to Tourette’s syndrome. John Davidson, whose life inspired I Swear, attended the event, and Cumming reminded audiences that the tics were involuntary. The BBC later issued a statement clarifying the situation.

Performances Light Up the Ceremony

Though KPop Demon Hunters was ineligible for BAFTA awards, its singers performed the viral hit Golden. Jessie Ware also delivered a moving rendition of Barbra Streisand’s The Way We Were during the In Memoriam segment, honoring Catherine O’Hara, Rob Reiner, Brigitte Bardot, Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, and Robert Redford.

Paul Mescal & Gracie Abrams Go Public

Actor Paul Mescal and singer‑songwriter Gracie Abrams made their red carpet debut as a couple. Mescal, nominated for Hamnet, wore a relaxed black suit, while Abrams stunned in a floral gown. Their appearance added a romantic note to the evening.