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On Sunday evening, London time, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the British Academy Film and Television Art Awards. Duchess Catherine looked dazzling in an Alexander McQueen gown she first wore in Malaysia eight years ago and Prince William looked smart in a black tuxedo.
They were in the audience to congratulate all the nominees and winners and they were definitely in the audience when Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt cracked a joke about Prince Harry in his acceptance speech – and William and Catherine’s reaction is priceless.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in the audience when Brad Pitt cracked a joke about Prince Harry’s exit from the royal family. (Image: Getty)
Winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad wasn’t able to attend that evening, but he did write a speech which his fellow castmate Margot Robbie read out on his behalf.
Beginning with a joke comparing Brexit to his divorce from Angelina Jolie: “Hey, Britain,” Margot reads, “Heard you just became single. Welcome to the club!
“Wishing you the best for the divorce settlement.”
He then thanked the Academy and the incredible team behind the film and then Margot finished reading Brad speech by saying, “He’s gonna name this [award] Harry, because he’s really excited about bringing it back to the States with him.”
Cue lots of laughs from the audience and the camera cutting to William and Kate who, despite the probable awkwardness, still looked pretty amused. No family dramas to report here, it would seem.
Watch their priceless reaction. Story continues below…
Brad was, of course, referring to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s exit from the royal family and move to North America which shocked the world and sent the Palace into crisis mode.
Since the royal couple announced their plans to step back, they have agreed to renounce the use of their HRH styling, no longer receive public funding for royal duties and pay back the money used to refurbish their UK home, Frogmore Cottage.
Several weeks after the announcement Prince Harry opened up about the decision during a private fundraiser in London in aid of his charity Sentebale.
“I want you to hear the truth from me, as much as I can share – not as a Prince, or a Duke, but as Harry, the same person that many of you have watched grow up over the last 35 years – but with a clearer perspective,” he told the audience.
“The UK is my home and a place that I love. That will never change. I have grown up feeling support from so many of you, and I watched as you welcomed Meghan with open arms as you saw me find the love and happiness I had hoped for all my life. Finally, the second son of Diana got hitched, hurray!”
He continued by saying he chose Meghan as his wife as she holds the same values as he does and that when they got married last year they were excited and hopeful and ready to serve.
“For those reasons, it brings me great sadness that it has come to this,” he said, emphasising the decision was one that he had made for himself and Meghan, stipulating: “The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.
“It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges. And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes there really was no other option.”
WATCH: Prince Harry shares ‘the truth’ about his and Meghan’s exit from royal life. Story continues below…
The couple have since been spending their time in Canada with nine-month-old Archie, and have wasted no time in getting behind important causes in their new home country.
Last week the couple took to their Instagram @sussexroyal to highlight Bell Let’s Talk Day, an initiative championed by Canadian telecommunications company Bell Canada to promote awareness and action around mental health and raise money to support Canadian mental health initiatives.
It’s clear that despite stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family and no longer officially representing the Queen, the couple are still incredibly committed to the causes and work they have both been championing over the years, and that’s not likely to change any time soon.
