BAFTA have paid tribute to HRH Prince Philip ahead of their awards ceremony this weekend.
BAFTA said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, whose close association with the Academy spanned over 60 years.”
Prince Philip became the organisation’s first president in 1959 and stayed in the role until 1965.
As president, he presented many awards at the famous annual ceremony.
His ties with the organisation extended after he stepped down as president.
The Duke of Edinburgh attended a celebratory event for BAFTA’s 50th anniversary in 1996 with The Queen.
BAFTA said: “The Duke occupies a special place in the Academy’s history and will be missed enormously.
“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family, to whom we offer our deepest sympathy.”
The British Academy Film Awards will take place at 7pm on Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall on BBC One while the opening ceremony will take place on Saturday.
This year’s ceremony has been praised for the diversity of its nominees, particularly its nominees for the best director category which includes four women.
Tributes to the Duke of Edinburgh are expected during the ceremony.
