Kate Middleton Is in a Major Fashion Predicament Over Wearing Black at the BAFTAs
If she doesn't support #TimesUp, there will be backlash. If she does, she's breaking royal protocol.


Prince William and Kate Middleton are set to attend the 2018 BAFTA Awards on February 18, where actresses are expected to wear black dresses (opens in new tab) in support of the #TimesUp movement—much like at the Golden Globes (opens in new tab).
The thing is, and as anyone who watches The Crown knows, royal family members are strictly forbidden from making political statements. If Kate wears a black dress, it could be seen as a breech of royal protocol. But if she doesn't wear one, she could be the only person in the room opting out of supporting this vital moment for women.
It presents a major predicament for her design team, as royal reporters are noting via social media.
Does the Duchess of Cambridge a) wear black to Bafta like #timesup campaigners and be accused of making political statement, or b) risk being the only woman wearing colour? Glad I'm not the one deciding https://t.co/unc7kMbLfnFebruary 9, 2018
As Daily Mirror correspondent Victoria Murphy notes, it's possible that Kate will find a workaround by wearing black with some sort of colorful detailing—an implicit statement of solidarity with #TimesUp that isn't technically all that statement-y.
My guess on this is that Kate will wear a dress that is black with some coloured/metallic detail. That way she is unlikely to be accused of being too political or of ignoring the cause https://t.co/aWhsYPsJmUFebruary 9, 2018
FYI, this is what Kate wore last time she attended the BAFTAs in 2017:
Stay tuned for details of this year's dress.
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Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
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