The 79th British Academy Film Awards lit up London on a starry Sunday night, drawing in a galaxy of celebrities including Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kate Hudson. Among the glittering attendees were royal couple Prince William and Princess Catherine, who gracefully dodged a heckler's question on the red carpet. The event came on the heels of some royal drama, with William's uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, recently arrested on the Sandringham Estate.
Host Alan Cumming stole the show with his quirky snack distribution antics. Armed with a basket of British treats, he wandered through the audience, offering goodies to peckish celebrities. Emma Stone called her Hula Hoops "divine," while Cumming intrigued Kylie Jenner with the question, "Kylie – have you ever had your gums around a giant Jammie Dodger?" She received the treat with amusement, and Leonardo DiCaprio was offered an Oatie Hobnob Flapjack, to which he responded with enthusiasm.
“People were starting to get a bit peckish. I could tell their blood-sugar levels were crashing so I thought I'd come out and hand out some very British snacks,” Cumming quipped.
K-pop sensation Rei Ami made waves on the red carpet with her excitement over meeting Paddington Bear, who was spotted among the attendees. "Can we meet Paddington? Where's Paddington? I want to make a Tik Tok with Paddington," she exclaimed, capturing the hearts of fans and fellow guests alike.
Dame Emma Thompson added to the night's humor with a pre-recorded message during the ceremony, joking about her makeup-free appearance and likening herself to Boris Johnson. The message was a tribute to Dame Donna Langley, who received the prestigious 2026 Bafta Fellowship Award.
The night was not short on emotional moments. Jessie Buckley moved the audience to tears with her acceptance speech for Best Actress for her role in "Hamnet." Meanwhile, Robert Aramayo became the evening's sensation by winning both the Best Actor and EE Rising Star awards, triumphing over big names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.
Elsewhere, Mia McKenna-Bruce delighted fans with her unexpected Ronan Keating fandom and advice for nominees, while Alan Cumming's pre-recorded Zoom sketch with young star Jacobi Jupe added a light-hearted touch to the evening. The event was buzzing with social media activity, ensuring that the BAFTAs 2026 will be remembered as a night full of charm and laughter.