The Duchess brought back an Alexander McQueen design for tonight’s BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards ceremony.
A video of the Duke and Duchess arriving:
A warm welcome to Their Royal Highnesses The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, who have arrived on the red carpet for the #EEBAFTAs @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/BEPSB4i4Pm
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 2, 2020
The royals are accompanied by the Academy’s president, Amanda Berry OBE. 
This is the fourth year the Duke and Duchess have attended the event. 
Hello! reports that while walking the red carpet, “One well-wisher told Kate “You look beautiful,” while another quickly added “So do you Will!” to which the royal couple reacted with a roar of laughter. I believe this video shows the exchange.
View this post on Instagram
You know that time I made @kensingtonroyal laugh??? Oh yeah…tonight at @ee @bafta ❤ #eebaftas?
Very much like the Oscars/Academy Awards in the US, the glittering ceremony is held at Royal Albert Hall. In this photo of Kate and William being seated, you can see several nominees and notables, including Joaquin Phoenix. 
Prince William is President of the Academy; this is his tenth year in the position. The role was passed to him by the Duke of Edinburgh, who was named president of the organization in 1959.
William presented this year’s Fellowship Award to American film producer Kathleen Kennedy. The Award is the “highest accolade bestowed by the Academy to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or television.” 
More about Ms. Kennedy from Bustle:
With a career covering more than 70 movies over 40 years, 66-year-old Kathleen has worked alongside directors including Martin Scorsese and David Fincher, having started her career working as an associate to Steven Spielberg on the Indiana Jones film Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not a bad way to make your debut, right? Since then, Kathleen has worked on too many incredible and iconic movies to even begin listing. E.T., Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park? She worked on all of them, making for one seriously impressive CV.
In recent years, however, the mother-of-two’s main focus has been on the recent Star Wars sequels. As president of Lucasfilm, George Lucas’ production company, Kathleen is one of the people responsible for taking us back to that galaxy far, far away, working on the new trilogy, A Star Wars Story spin-offs and the Disney+ series The Mandalorian as a producer.
Silly sidebar: yours truly met Ms. Kennedy when she was in Oklahoma City producing Twister. Portions of the film were shot at the TV station where I was the news director.
After the ceremony, Kate spoke with winner Renee Zellweger, winner of the Best Actress Award for her role as “Judy”. 
A video of the two chatting.
The Duchess of Cambridge spoke to Renee Zellweger, who won the @BAFTA for Best Actress for her role in ‘Judy’, after the ceremony pic.twitter.com/x35OT6oQ1a
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) February 2, 2020
The Duchess speaking with other attendees. 
The couple also spent time with Rising Star nominees and the winner.
After the @BAFTA ceremony, the Duke and Duchess met with with rising star nominees and winner @onlymikes_ William joked how many films he had to get through around the awards while Kate joked that “Having children is so bad for watching films.” #BAFTAs pic.twitter.com/dXWDqwps5d
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) February 2, 2020
The Rising Star Award winner was Micheal Ward, second from left.
Among other roles, Mr.Ward stars in Top Boy, a British crime series on TV (available on Netflix).
The Duchess speaking with director Sam Mendes (center), whose film, 1917, won seven awards tonight, and Andy Serkis (left). Mr. Serkis won the BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema. 
Another post-ceremony video via Kensington Palace.
After the ceremony, The Duke and Duchess met the winners of the 27 awards categories, including the cast and crew of @1917 which won 7 awards.
Congratulations to all the winners at the 2020 @BAFTA Awards! #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/UgNXpSpKuC
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 3, 2020
Now for our look at what Kate wore for this year’s BAFTAs, preceded by an explanation on why this year’s dress code is different from that seen at previous ceremonies, as detailed in this Telegraph story:
All attendees of this year’s event have received a guide created by the London College of Fashion’s Centre for Sustainability asking them to think about the environmental footprint of their wardrobe choices and either re-wear something they already own or choose a more sustainable option.
A look at the Duchess this evening. 
She brought back an Alexander McQueen gown designed by Sarah Burton for a 2012 state dinner in Malaysia, in creamy white and gold, embroidered with Hibiscus flowers, the national flower of Malaysia. From our original description: “The creamy white dress featured a sheer overlay with gold lame embroidery bordering the sleeves, neckline, and center of the gown, the same thread was used to create the golden hibiscus floral motif scattered over the fabric. Other elements included an empire waist, shirred white fabric at the bust, short, sheer sleeves and a full, flowing skirt.”
A closer look at three of the hibiscus flowers and the intricate detailing on the sleeve embellishment. 
As is standard with the Duchess when repeating some pieces, modifications have been made to the original dress. Below you can see (hopefully) some of the changes, primarily a more structured shoulder, the removal of some of the fabric in the sleeves, and the addition of a lining to the sleeves.
Kate accessorized with what looks like another Anya Hindmarch Marano clutch in gold glitter with a goldtone frame and logo clasp. 
The piece measures roughly 7.5″ x 4.5″ and is lined in suede. Kate also has this style in blue. Thank you to @innominate_93 and Heaven on Twitter for their ID work on the bag.
Gabi suggests the Duchess was wearing Jimmy Choo Romy pumps and I think she is correct. I haven’t seen photos showing enough of the shoe to determine if it is a style that is solid glitter, like the pair shown on the left, or if it is one of the brand’s dégradé designs, like the pair shown on the right. 
The Duchess wore this style in silver glitter to last year’s awards.
Kate’s hair was in an elaborate updo and she was wearing jewelry we’ve not previously seen.
The Duchess’s new earrings and necklace appear to be from the Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra Collection, launched in 1986. “A symbol of harmony edged with golden pearls, it has established itself as a token of luck and signature of Van Cleef & Arpels.” Kate’s pieces are from the Magic Alhambra Collection, created in 2006. It is one of three Alhambra lines the French luxury firm offers.
The necklace and earrings look like they are the white mother-of-pearl and yellow gold style, although in some shots the top portion of the earrings looks grey. Below, the Magic Alhambra Necklace with Six Motifs ($8950). 
Below, the Magic Alhambra Earrings ($6200). 
Thank you to Replicate Royalty and innominate_93 on Twitter for their ID work, as well as the many others who quickly pointed out the jewelry looked like it was by Van Cleef and Arpels.
The Duchess of Cornwall has worn pieces from the Alhambra collection on more than one occasion. Below, in Alhambra earrings for the December 2019 world premiere of the film 1917. 
Gwen and Susan both commented about Grace Kelly wearing pieces from the collection; there is a photo here showing the Princess in a necklace from the line.
The Duchess also brought back her citrine cocktail ring. 
From Caroline Leaper’s column in The Telegraph about the fashion this evening.
The night’s guest of honour, the Duchess of Cambridge, was one who likely had no qualms whatsoever about the new dressing rules. She is perhaps the most prolific re-wearer of clothes in the public eye. It’s a statement that, on the surface, seems ridiculous; we, the fashion press, point out over and over again that she is wearing her clothes again, just as any normal person does.
Kate re-wore an Alexander McQueen dress which she had first worn on tour in Malaysia in 2012. Her fan clubs on Twitter and Instagram had been placing bets as to which of her evening gowns she might pull out for the occasion; few had predicted that she might still have this gold embroidered dress in her wardrobe.
With its embroidery-trimmed bustling and long, flowy silhouette, however, the elegant creation felt just as timeless and current as ever. This Duchess refreshed the dress with new accessories, namely a set of Van Cleef & Arpels dangly earrings and necklace, securing her place as one of the BAFTAs’s best dressed (and appropriately dressed!) stars of the night.
Now for our look at four years of BAFTA ensembles. Last year we saw Kate in Alexander McQueen and a pair of earrings that originally belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales; at the 2018 awards, she wore the deep green Jenny Packham with emerald and diamond jewelry; at the 2017 BAFTAs it was an off the shoulder Alexander McQueen dress. 
VIDEOS:
The Royal Family Channel offers about 1:30 of the couple arriving.
The Telegraph’s video of the arrival.
From The Independent’s coverage.
LINKAGE:
- The Daily Mail’s coverage is here; The Telegraph’s story via its live blog is here; The Evening Standard’s article & gallery are here; The Guardian’s article is here; The Express story is here
- British Vogue’s story is here; a Hello! piece is here; Caroline Leaper’s Telegraph column about Kate’s look is here; a Grazia UK piece about Kate’s beauty look is here; a PopSugar gallery is here; Vogue’s piece is here; the Fug Girls post is here
BlondieBlueEye
Saturday 8th of February 2020
The SM has beautiful embroidery, beading and craftsmanship in the front and back with sleeves altered beautifully deserved a second viewing, it is an exquisite grown. This is February and it is pretty cold out and the fellows wear suit jackets, you can see Kate with a red nose while she was walking the red carpet from outside to inside. This gown was one of my choices, because the gown covers her back and almost half of her arms. Still my absolute favorite is the 2019 SM. The Duchess I have notice many times and for many years she like detail interesting items and clothes she purchase items that will match other items she has. Her Ballon Blue 33 MM Cartier watch, I think I read somewhere she has a mother of pearl face, and her jewelry a four leaf cover four-leaf clover means faith, hope, love and luck made of mother of pearl that is her taste. You did not see any of the big stars wear heavy jewelry if any.?
Valerie Katz
Friday 7th of February 2020
I received my Single Diamond Midnight Moon Necklace with my full first name from Danellia Draper and am very pleased. It is beautiful. It was delivered timely and in perfect condition, packaged beautifully. A big shout out to Imogen my salesperson who was very sweet, efficient and so helpful.
Laura
Thursday 6th of February 2020
I wasn’t a big fan of this gown in 2012, and I feel that Kate has worn so many gorgeous gowns that I rather forgot about this one. Like everyone else, I thought of it as a “theme” dress we’d never see again.
However, I feel that on this second re-wear, with the lighting on all that white and gold, and the slimmer-fitting lined shoulders giving it a bit more structure, it really is stunning, especially that gold embroidery. I am a little ambivalent about the white “shelf bra” type thing in the front, but this time I didn’t mind it, perhaps because I agree with others on here that it gives the dress a nice 1950s era vintage vibe, or because it looks less girlish now with the more fitted sleeves, gorgeous updo and Kate’s confident posture.
Looking at the photos of Kate in 2012, I really notice a difference in her confidence, posture and overall mannerisms. She was always poised, but now she just seems absolutely serene and composed at her events.
I personally like the jewelry, perhaps not with another dress, but the flowers match perfectly with the floral embroidery on the dress.
Janet
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
I loved this dress the first time Catherine wore it in Malaysia, and didn’t expect to see it again. What a beautiful choice! The dress was very appropriate for the occasion and the shoes went perfectly with it. Her updo was exquisite and like last year’s BAFTA she looked serene and very elegant. I seem to be in the minority when it comes to the dress however. I don’t understand other comments about the alterations to the sleeves and shoulder, they looked okay to me. I do want to thank you for the closeup photos of the sleeves because it really shows us the exquisite detail of the embroidery! The closeup explains her choice of shoes and clutch, and her jewelry. This dress is so light and delicate that if she had chosen jewels out of her personal collection or those on loan from HM, they would have overwhelmed her and the dress. Unlike others I thought her delicate earrings and necklace went perfectly. The overall look? Beautiful!
Maia
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
It’s interesting to me that Kate decided to follow the suggested dress code to promote sustainability this year. I believe last year the suggested dress was black, as a nod to the “Me Too” movement. My understanding was the black dress would have been too strong a political statement and so there was just a subtle touch in the trim of the dress. In my opinion a statement about sustainability is also political- albeit perhaps a more socially “acceptable” statement. Personally, I do wish we had seen a black gown last year per the theme as well (or that was more of an unofficial theme?). It saddens me to think the Duchess would avoid partaking in a statement regarding women’s rights but support one regarding climate change. Just my opinion. I do love this gown and was pleased to see it again. I prefer it with less jewellery as I feel the gown speaks for itself.
SaraF
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
(The Me Too thingy was two years ago ;) Last year Kate wore white.) I am guessing that sustainability is just less controversial and emotional a subject - more socially acceptable, as you say - than Me Too. I mean, who could possibly take offence at someone trying to be less wasteful?