BAFTAs 2020: Rebel Wilson makes a VERY awkward joke about Prince Andrew and Prince Harry in front of William and Kate as she presents Best Director award
The separate controversies that have overshadowed the British monarchy over recent months were played for laughs on Sunday evening as Rebel Wilson attended the 73rd annual EE British Academy Film Awards.
With guests including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in attendance, the Australian actress referenced Prince Andrew and the recently abdicated Prince Harry before presenting the Best Director award to filmmaker Sam Mendes.
Addressing the star-studded audience at London’s Royal Albert Hall, she joked: ‘It is really great to be here, at the Royal Andrew… Royal Harry… no, sorry, Royal Phil- at this royal… palace place.’
Comedy gold: Rebel Wilson cracked a joke at Prince Andrew and Prince Harry’s expense as she presented the Best Director award at the BAFTAs on Sunday evening
The awkward gag prompted a ripple of laughter from those in attendance, however William and Kate looked notably reserved as cameras immediately cut to the Royal couple.
The 39-year old also touched on the decision to offer guests environmentally friendly goodie bags for the first time, part of their ongoing push for sustainability at the annual event.
She added: ‘Sorry I was just told backstage that no one’s getting a gift bag tonight. Instead, you’re all getting a gifting wallet, which is funny because that’s also nickname of my vagina.’
Banter: ‘It is really great to be here, at the Royal Andrew… Royal Harry… no, sorry, Royal Phil- at this royal… palace place,’ she joked
Awkward: The awkward gag prompted a ripple of laughter from those in attendance, includign a slightly strained looking William and Kate
While her appearance went down well with the star-studded audience, viewers were divided over here decision to make a joke at the Royal family’s expense.
Taking to Twitter, one viewer wrote: ‘Three cheers for the producer who cut to William and Kate after Rebel Wilson’s Prince Andrew and Harry joke.’
While another raged: ‘I thought it disgustingly rude and unfunny. I felt sorry for them. Why should they go to an awards ceremony to have their family insulted. A crude and insensitive remark.’
Topical: The 39-year old also touched on the decision to offer guests environmentally friendly goodie bags for the first time, part of their ongoing push for sustainability at the annual event
Mixed response: While her appearance went down well with the star-studded audience, viewers were divided over here decision to make a joke at the Royal family’s expense
Evidently in agreement, a third added: ‘I totally agree she made me cringe …. not the time or the place for her tasteless remarks I don’t find her remotely funny anyway just crude and talentless in my view. When you have to resort to being unkind to promote yourself it’s sick.’
Others praised the star for injecting life into the event, with one adding: ‘Rebel Wilson does 3 minutes; good jokes about Cats, all male nominations lists, coronavirus and her vagina; rescues BAFTAs.’
‘If Rebel hosted the show, it would be quality,’ wrote another.
Well done: Others praised the star for injecting life into the star-studded event with her unique brand of humour
Sam Mendes’ 1917 led the winners at the event, with the World War I masterpiece taking home seven gongs, including Best Film, Director, Outstanding British Film, Special Visual Effects, Cinematography, Production Design and Sound at the star-studded ceremony.
Renee Zellweger won the Leading Actress gong for her role as Judy Garland in the namesake biopic Judy with Joaquin Phoenix taking home the Leading Actor award for his role as Joker.
Despite receiving 11 nominations, Joker only took home three awards – Casting, Original Score and Joaquin’s Leading Actor gong.
Other A-lister wins included Laura Dern, who won the Supporting Actress gong for her role as cutthroat lawyer Nora Fanshaw in Marriage Story.