BAFTAs: Oppenheimer wins seven awards, Margot Robbie stuns on red carpet

Barbie star Margot Robbie has again lost out on an acting award as Prince William joined the BAFTAs celebration and Michael J. Fox received a standing ovation.

Prince William arrived on the red carpet of the 77th British Academy Film Awards without his wife and apologised for not watching as many movies as usual as he focused on her recovery from abdominal surgery.

In a dazzling night dominated by Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and a moving standing ovation for Hollywood icon Michael J. Fox, the royal looked dapper in a tuxedo as he mingled with stars without Princess Catherine at his side.

The couple usually put in an appearance together at the ceremony since Prince William became president of the BAFTAs in 2010.

Prince William on the red carpet at the British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London. Picture: AFP

Australian star Margot Robbie ruled the red carpet as she arrived in a custom Giorgio Armani Prive silk pink and black velvet gown paired with black opera gloves.

However, it was a night of disappointment for the Barbie star as she lost out to Emma Stone in the Leading Actress category.

Margot Robbie dazzles in a custom Giorgio Armani Prive silk pink and black velvet gown. Picture: Getty Images

Margot Robbie on the red carpet. Picture: AFP

The Australian actress arrives with her husband, British film producer Tom Ackerley. Picture: AFP

Stone took out the Leading Actress Award for her role in the black comedy Poor Things, beating nominees Fantasia Barrino in The Color Purple, Sandra Hüller in Anatomy of a Fall, Carey Mulligan in Maestro, Vivian Oparah in Rye Lane and Robbie in Barbie.

Margot Robbie was up for Leading Actress. Picture: Getty Images

Margot Robbie looks pretty in pink as she continues with the Barbie theme. Picture: Getty Images

Emma Stone poses with the Leading Actress Award. Picture: Getty Images

Emma Stone and Emily Blunt attend the BAFTAs. Picture: Getty Images

Oppenheimer star Florence Pugh hits the red carpet. Picture: Getty Images

Florence Pugh wears a bustier dress by Harris Reed. Picture: Getty Images

Carey Mulligan wears Dior as she hits the BAFTA red carpet. Picture: Getty Images

Cillian Murphy netted the Leading Actor Award for his role in Oppenheimer and thanked Christopher Nolan and producer Emma Thomas calling them “Oppen-homies”.

“Thanks for seeing something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” he said.

The film about American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb won Best Film and Best Director, making it the evening’s biggest winner with seven awards — followed by Poor Things on five.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy has boosted his Oscar chances with his BAFTA win for Leading Actor. Picture: Getty Images

Actors Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott arrive at the awards. Picture: Getty Images

Michael J. Fox presents the Best Film Award on stage during the BAFTAs Picture: Getty Images

Actor Michael J. Fox, who has battled Parkinson’s for decades, got a standing ovation as he presented the award for Best Film to director Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer.

The much-loved star had the star-studded audience on their feet and applauding as he got out of his wheelchair to speak at the podium.

The gong for Best Supporting Actor went to Robert Downey Jr for his work in Oppenheimer, which also took awards for Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

Downey modestly described the role as “a last-ditch effort to resurrect my dwindling credibility”, before dedicating the award to his wife Susan, his “alpha and omega”.

Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan attend the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Picture: Getty Images

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, star of The Holdovers, won Best Supporting Actress. Picture: Getty Images

Earlier, Prince William watched as Best Casting went to the Holdovers and the Zone of Interest won Best Film Not in an English Language.

David Beckham presented the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut to Earth Mama.

American Fiction took Best Adapted Screenplay, and The Boy and the Heron took the award for Best Animated Film.

Music star Dua Lipa makes a grand entrance. Picture: AFP

The royal watched the awards ceremony before meeting category winners on stage as well as meeting the EE Rising Star Award nominees – the category voted for by the public.

At one stage he was seen chatting animatedly to Australian actress Cate Blanchett in their seats.

Prince William and Cate Blanchett at the Royal Festival Hall. Picture: Getty Images

William and Cate Blanchett chatting in their seats. Picture: AFP

Prince William earlier gave his thoughts on two of the evening’s biggest contenders.

“I’ve done [watched] the fewest I’ve ever done before – with my wife it’s been a bit … but hopefully we’ll catch up, I’ll make my list tonight.”

“I’m a big fan of Christopher Nolan so I’ll be pleased if he wins, I loved Oppenheimer.

“I haven’t watched Barbie yet, but I want to,” he said.

He credited the “good British films and good female directors” on offer this year.

David Beckham presented an award at the event. Picture: Getty Images

Saltburn star Barry Keoghan on the red carpet. Picture: Getty Images

Best Supporting Actor winner Robert Downey Jr with his wife Susan Downey at the awards. Picture: Getty Images

The BAFTAs is the first major event that Princess Catherine has had to cancel following the surgery at the London Clinic three weeks ago but she is expected to return to royal duties after Easter.

She has spent the last week recuperating with William and the children at their Norfolk residence in Sandringham during the school half term.

David Tennant hosted the proceedings, as Florence Pugh, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Michelle Keegan led the red carpet arrivals.

The awards were presented by Doctor Who star David Tennant, as well as David Beckham, Dua Lipa, Hugh Grant and Idris Elba, in the first time William has been seen since brother Prince Harry’s interview in Canada where he declared: “I love my family” and that he intended to spend more time with them since his father’s cancer diagnosis.