Baftas 2026: the red carpet, the ceremony, the winners – follow live!

Also, it’s been reported that someone yelled “Is the monarchy in peril?” at Prince William during his red carpet walk. First, you always have to have plenty of respect for people willing to heckle in such a formal way. Second, on the basis on William’s film recommendations alone, it probably is a bit.

I was wrong about finding out the winners on social media, by the way. I just checked the official Bafta X feed and its most recent video was of Timothée Chalamet walking the red carpet. It seems as if the official line is to announce in time with the television coverage, which if nothing else makes me feel a bit less mad.

Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams hard launch their relationship on the Baftas red carpet. Photograph: Dave Benett/Max Cisotti/Getty Images

Even though we all know that Paul Mescal and the singer Gracie Abrams have been dating since about 2024, they’ve never made it red carpet official. Until now, that is. The couple – who, aside from some sneaky paparazzi shots and cryptic Instagram posts have managed to keep their relationship private – tonight decided to ditch the covert approach and instead hard launch at the Baftas, complete with a cheeky kiss. As previously mentioned, Mescal is wearing Prada while Abrams has gone for a beaded floral look from Chanel. A romantic dress for a romantic moment. Swoon!

Teyana Taylor makes the red carpet trench a thing. Photograph: James Manning/PA

One Battle After Another Star Teyana Taylor is making a case for the red carpet trench. The dramatic ruff is much cooler than a hood. Between her and Archie Madekwe, collars are really having a moment. You have been warned!

Quite frankly, Prince William needs all the help he can get. The BBC just posted a fragment of an interview from the red carpet. Highlights are that he thought One Battle After Another was “weird”, that he hadn’t seen Sinners on the basis that it’s a “bit dark” and that he liked F1.

The president of Bafta, there.

In the meantime, let’s assume that these Baftas will go down in history as The One That Paddington Went To, Even Though He Isn’t Even Nominated for Anything, The Attention-Seeking Git.

You might be surprised to learn that this is not the first time that Paddington has walked the red carpet. Eleven years ago, he appeared in Shanghai ahead of his first movie, although he was about 3ft taller than he is now, and most recently he was seen glad-handing everyone backstage at the Royal Variety Performance.

So that’s three high-profile appearances now, and you’ll notice that every single one of them has been with Prince William. It’s good to see that, in a time of unprecedented constitutional crisis, the royal family can at least count on the support of a fictional bear in a hat.

Joe Alwyn pays no heed to the weather or time of day in a pair of statement sunnies. Photograph: Ian West/PA

Yes, it is overcast in London. Yes, dusk is falling. But here is Joe Alwyn in a pair of statement sunglasses.

We now find ourselves entering Schrodinger’s Baftas; the two-hour lull where the awards simultaneously do and do not exist, depending on whether you’re in Royal Festival Hall or waiting for the TV coverage.

As such, updates here will slow to a trickle for a little while. Obviously, you could pass the time by looking on social media to see who wins what in real time, but surely it would be much more fun to put your head in the sand until 7pm, because then you’ll be able to see the glowers of barely concealed disappointment from all the losers. And isn’t that really what Bafta night is for?

William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, on the Bafta red carpet. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/PA

It appears that the toyal family is really embracing the “keep calm and carry on£ mantra. Hours after the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday, the king popped up on the front row at the Tolu Coker show at London fashion week. Now William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, are all smiles on the Bafta red carpet. Kate is wearing a lovely tulle gown in tonal shades of blush and mauve. William is in smart plum velvet tuxedo. It’s a nice nod to coordinated couples dressing without going full on matchy-matchy. William also seems to be sporting some new stubble in place of his standard clean-shaven, look while Kate has ditched an updo for loose hair. It’s all giving the illusion of Hey, look how relaxed we are’, even though it’s clearly been a tumultuous week for the royals, not to mention the country.

To follow all the joys – and disappointments – of this year’s ceremony, head here for live coverage of every prize as it happens

Archie Madekwe leans into his rising star nomination with a sparkly ruff. Photograph: Aurore Marechal/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

Archie Madekwe, who is nominated for the EE rising star award, has risen to the occasion in a Dior suit complete with sparkly ruff. Jonathan Anderson, Dior’s creative director, featured a similar collar on the invitations for his recent show, but this is the first time we have spotted one in the wild. Very much here for it.

Timothée Chalamet opts for a less meme-able look than some of his recent red carpet appearances. Photograph: Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP

Here comes the red carpet chameleon Timothée Chalamet. One awards ceremony the Marty Supreme star is embracing method dressing, opting for looks including a ping-pong orange leather co-ord. The next, he’s stripped it right back – here, he’s has gone for a head-to-toe charcoal look from Givenchy by Sarah Burton. I don’t hate it, but it’s a lot less memorable and, more importantly less meme-able, than previous looks.

Erin Doherty displays her doubly dramatic look on the red carpet. Photograph: Aurore Marechal/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta

Adolescence star Erin Doherty is giving us another red carpet optical illusion. The British actor is wearing a dress from Louis Vuitton featuring a dramatic scooped neckline and equally dramatic pleated skirt. I imagine in a crowded situation – such as wading your way through celebrities at the Baftas – the width of this dress is very useful, serving as a polite way of getting someone to move aside without having to shout at them over the din.

Paul Mescal shows off his no-iron look ahead of the Baftas ceremony. Photograph: David Fisher/Shutterstock

It’s a triple Irish threat. Now here’s Paul Mescal. The Hamnet star is wearing a look from Prada. The slightly crumpled shirt and threadbare cuffs are a signature of the brand that likes to toy with the definition of luxury. Bet Mescal was pleased that he didn’t have to bother with the ironing this Sunday.

Cillian Murphy displaying his classic no-nonsense approach to awards season. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Bafta/Getty Images for Bafta

Here comes another Irish star. Cillian Murphy, who takes a no-nonsense approach to red carpet etiquette and fashion, has gone for a classic black suit. The high lapels on the blazer are a nice touch, as is the white tie on white shirt.