Tragic reason why the Duchess of Cambridge was left 'heartbroken' during Bafta ceremony

So sad...

Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge revealed why she was left 'heartbroken' during the Bafta ceremony on Sunday.

According to The Mirror, Duchess Catherine was especially moved by the documentary as Sama, the little girl in the documentary, was similar to Prince Louis in age at the time the footage was filmed.

The film follows the journey of Waad al Kateab during five years of her life in the rebel-held city as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to her first daughter, Sama - who's now four-years-old.

The filmmaker and journalist started documenting the crisis in Aleppo for Channel Channel 4 News in January 2016, while living in a makeshift hospital run by her doctor husband.

After the ceremony, the duchess sought out Waad to tell her how much of an inspiration she is.

Kate Middleton

“I was heartbroken. My boy is a similar age to Sama. You are a great inspiration for every woman”, the duchess told Waad.

For Sama won Best Documentary at the Baftas, after making history as the most nominated documentary in Bafta history. It has also been nominated for an Oscar by the Academy.

Waad Al-Kateab

Dedicating the award to the people of Syria, Waad said in her speech, “We shouldn’t be here. In 2016, we were in a basement in a hospital when we heard the shelling of the bombs all around us.

“Hamza, me and Sema and we heard and we were hearing the shelling and the bombing all the time around us.

“In one moment in 2016 when I was in contact with Channel 4 News we even thought where we should bury our footage in case we didn’t make it. This needed to be saved.

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“We did the film and I’m so glad and I’m so honoured that I’m standing here.

"Thank you so much Bafta for recognising the film. As we speak now, the situation in Syria is still so bad.

“As we’re speaking there is bombing and shelling on over 3.5 million civilians. These people they should hear your voice now, they should hear that Britain as a country won’t let that happen again.

“I know it’s so hard but this award I would dedicate it to the great Syrian people who are still suffering today. The great heroes of doctors, nurses, civil defence, so many other volunteer. I dedicate this award for them.”

Many guests became emotional during Waad's speech, including Renée Zellweger and Game of Throne's Kit Harington.

Mariana Cerqueira

Mariana is the managing editor of woman&home. She has previously worked for lifestyle titles including GoodtoKnow covering all aspects of women’s lifestyle - from the Royal Family, beauty and fashion to wellness and travel. She was nominated for AOP Digital Journalist of the Year in 2020, and for New Digital Talent of the Year at the 2016 PPA Digital Awards. She’s mildly obsessed with TV (reality TV shows included) and spends far too much time planning her next trip away.