On a glittering London night packed with A-list names, Ellie Goulding ensured all eyes were firmly on her as she led the departures from the BAFTA Invest In Talent Gala 2026 alongside boyfriend Beau Minniear.
Held at the opulent The Chancery Rosewood, the biennial fundraiser brought together the cream of the creative world to support emerging talent in film, television and games. But it was Ellie, 39, who stole the show as she wrapped herself in a statement white duvet coat, draped over a figure-hugging satin and lace gown that beautifully framed her blossoming bump.
Earlier in the evening, the singer had graced the red carpet without the oversized outerwear, dazzling in a pale pink number with a plunging neckline that showcased her cleavage. A sheer, fitted tulle layer clung delicately to her growing baby bump, while diamond accessories completed the ethereal look.
The chart-topper — who already shares four-year-old son Arthur with ex-husband Caspar Jopling — is now expecting her first child with Beau, 28. While Ellie commanded attention on the carpet, Beau skipped the solo photo-op and later emerged looking impeccably sharp in a tailored black suit, crisp white shirt and classic black tie.
During the gala, Ellie took to the stage to perform some of her biggest hits for the star-studded audience, marking a powerful moment as she prepares to release what insiders are calling a deeply personal “divorce album”, inspired by the breakdown of her marriage.
The glamorous evening also saw a host of major names in attendance.
Joanne Froggatt exuded sophistication in a halterneck black gown with a structured bodice and semi-sheer skirt, while Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood left hand-in-hand with wife Sally, dazzling in coordinated red velvet and silver sequins.
Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander wowed in an off-the-shoulder grey gown with a voluminous skirt, with husband Michael Fassbender close behind. Meanwhile, Gwendoline Christie made a dramatic entrance earlier in a vintage-inspired suit and pale purple trench, later shielded from the rain beneath an umbrella.
The gala arrives as awards season gathers momentum. Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Hamnet has broken records with the most nominations ever for a female-directed film in BAFTA history, while One Battle After Another and Sinners dominate the shortlist.
Yet despite the glittering competition and cinematic milestones, it was Ellie’s combination of motherhood glow, high-fashion drama and career reinvention that defined the night — a star stepping into a bold new era, both personally and professionally.
