Yet, despite the turmoil, royal duties continue. On Sunday, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the 2026 BAFTAs. A body language expert later observed that the couple appeared “anxious,” and at one point William was heard giving his wife a brief three-word warning.
A Family Under Pressure
The monarchy has weathered countless scandals over the decades, but recent years have proven especially turbulent. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s long-standing association with the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and the fallout from the Epstein files have already cast a long shadow.
Though he was stripped of his royal titles and removed from his residence by his brother, King Charles, the situation escalated dramatically last week with his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
King Charles responded swiftly with a written statement, expressing support for a full investigation. Beyond that, senior royals have remained largely silent.
Amid this backdrop, Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped onto the red carpet at the 2026 BAFTAs, fulfilling their public roles despite the storm surrounding the family.