The private Caribbean island has ties to the late Queen Elizabeth.
Royal watchers were left disappointed when Kate Middleton skipped the 2025 BAFTAs–and, based on her past appearances, what was sure to be a princess-coded red carpet moment–but the Princess of Wales and Prince William had the best reason for missing the Sunday, February 16 award show. Instead of stepping out with A-list attendees like Demi Moore, Pamela Anderson, Ariana Grande, and Cynthia Erivo, the couple secretly jetted off to a luxurious Caribbean beach vacation with their kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
According to the DailyMail, the Waleses opted for sunshine and white sand beaches on a private island beloved by Princess Margaret as well as a slew of celebrities including Kate Moss, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, and David Bowie. The family reportedly joined Kate’s mom Carol Middleton on Mustique, flying business class to Saint Lucia before taking a private jet to get to the island, a source told the publication.
Located 100 miles from Barbados, the celebrity-loved island is known for its royal roots–Princess Margaret visited Mustique for her honeymoon in 1960, and the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip quickly become frequent visitors. This royal tradition has been passed through the generations and Kate and William have vacationed in Mustique over the years, even jetting to the private island to celebrate Prince George’s sixth birthday.
It’s unknown whether the family stays in Les Jolies Eaux, which was a luxurious five-bedroom vacation villa with two pools that was previously owned by Princess Margaret. However, it’s likely that the family will take part in the many activities available like tennis, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. The website also has a number of children-friendly activities for George, Charlotte, and Louis to take part in, including a pony camp, treasure hunts, beach picnics, and a bunch of water sports, according to Mustique’s website.
Kate and William’s absence at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards may have seemed surprising considering their track record (As BAFTA president, William has made a point of showing face at the ceremony, even making an appearance solo last year amid Kate’s health battle). However, Kensington Palace previously confirmed to People that the couple had no plans to attend this year–and their kids’ school schedule might be to blame. The Sunday, February 16 award show falls during the Wales kids’ school holidays, and it looks like Kate and William decided to prioritize family time instead of a red carpet return this year.
