Prince William Awards ‘Exceptional’ NBCUniversal Chief Donna Langley Highest BAFTA Honor: ‘She Is a Shining Light’

Prince William paid tribute to NBCUniversal chair Donna Langley as he awarded her BAFTA’s highest honor, the BAFTA Fellowship during the film awards on Sunday night, calling the British-born studio head a “shining light.”

“The path to fellowship is an honor given in recognition of an exceptional contribution to film,” he told the audience, which included many of Langley’s colleagues and collaborators, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Renée Zellweger and Emma Stone. “And tonight’s recipient is quite simply that – exceptional.”

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He went on to cite Langley’s “determination,” “commitment,” “transformative leadership” and “unwavering commitment to creative partnership” among other characteristics.

He also praised Langley, who was awarded one of the U.K.’s highest royal honors, a Damehood, by Queen Elizabeth II in 2020, for advocating “tireless[ly]” for British talent abroad.

“Dame Donna’s impact at NBC Universal and on the film industry is significant,” William said. “She is a shining light to all those starting out in the creative industries, showing that anything is possible.”

He then introduced a VT that included tributes from many of Langley’s colleagues including Christopher Nolan, who is currently putting the finishing touches to upcoming Universal Pictures film “The Odyssey,” Steven Spielberg, Eric Fellner, Judy Craymer and Emma Thompson.

“Her patience is kind of like the bonding agent,” Spielberg said. “It makes us all feel like, in a way, she’s our security blanket.”

As the audience at the Royal Festival Hall rose to give Langley a standing ovation, William’s wife Catherine, who was sitting next to the NBCUniversal chief in the front row, gave her a warm smile before Langley made her way to the stage to accept her fellowship.

“As my career has progressed, I’ve come to believe that the most meaningful part of what we do is the people we choose to support along the way,” Langley told the audience. “The voices we encourage. And the talent we protect…long enough for them to find their feet. And the doors we remember to open.”

“We are also facing moments of change and disruption today. And my hope is that those of us who help tell stories for a living continue to find inspiration to make popular art that carries over into people’s everyday lives – that helps us understand the world a bit better and to see each other a little more clearly…and reminds us that decency is a superpower.”

William and Catherine’s presence at the ceremony on Sunday night was a closely guarded secret, with neither BAFTA nor Kensington Palace giving any hint the couple planned to attend.