Joanna Lumley opened the Baftas by comparing the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements to the suffragettes, pointing out that 100 years ago, the Royal Albert Hall — where the Baftas took place — celebrated the first group of British women being given the vote.

“A century ago, the Suffragettes laid the groundwork for the sort of dogged resistance and powerful protest that is carried forward with the Time’s Up movement. And with it, the determination to eradicate the inequality and abuse of woman the world over.”

Many of those who attended the ceremony wore all black to support the movement, which began last year in the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein.

Lumley was one of the few who decided not to wear black, instead donning a charcoal grey suit, explaining beforehand: “I had to choose how I would look before any of this blew up… I shall look like a head mistress.”

BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Show all 26 1 /26 BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge For the annual ceremony the Duchess relied on a firm fashion favourite for her red carpet look. This olive green Jenny Packham gown may defy the dress code, but it's no less worthy of a style accolade. Meanwhile, the Duke stayed true to the uniform in a traditional black tuxedo. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Allison Janney The I,Tonya star excelled in this strapless black and gold ensemble which flattered the American actress from all angles. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Gemma Arterton Few women could pull off the brazen pleats and avant-garde neckline of this couture Alberta Ferretti gown, but Gemma Arterton manages to seduce and delight with aplomb. A simple swish of scarlet lipstick proves the British actress's flair for the dramatic, an apt addition given the occasion. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Salma Hayek A Gucci girl to her core, Hayek returned to the red carpet as Alessandro Michele's ultimate leading lady in this floral design, which was topped off with rosy rhinestones and a black velvet clutch. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Margot Robbie The Australian beauty’s porcelain-perfect skin was offset by a halter-neck Givenchy couture gown that gracefully flowed onto the red carpet in oscillating pleats. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Chiwetel Ejiofor and Frances Aaternir Packing a stylish power couple punch, Ejiofor and Aaternir each donned classic black tuxedos and #TimesUp pins for the glittering event. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Emma Roberts With a plunging Eighties neckline and oversized shoulder pads, the American actress successfully channelled a nostalgic nod to another Hollywood era in this Schiaparelli gown. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Rungano Nyoni The I Am Not A Witch director added splashes of colour to her gown of choice, which featured a peppering of heavily-embroidered purple floral patterns. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lily James The British actress posed up a storm in this strapless tulle gown, worthy of a darker and edgier Cinderella. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Jennifer Lawrence The American actress stayed true to her Dior heritage in a rigid off-the-shoulder gown hot off the design house's spring 2018 couture catwalk. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Saoirse Ronan Nominated for her leading role in Ladybird, the Irish actress was semi-prepared for the British chill in a polo-neck Chanel gown that fluttered in the wind thanks to a sheer pleated skirt, complete with a buoyant feather trim. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Greta Gerwig With three nominations for her coming-of-age drama, Ladybird, the American actress, writer and director kept things simple in a feminine shift dress adorned with flowers. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Lupita Nyong'o The Academy-Award-winning actress proved her style credentials in this Elie Saab gown, featuring innovative cuts and a peplum skirt that complemented Nyong'o's lean figure. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Angelina Jolie Nobody looks more at home sashaying down the red carpet than Ms Jolie, who probably would've stuck to her trademark all-black aesthetic regardless of the #TimesUp incentive. Nonetheless, the Hollywood starlet stunned in this velvet sweetheart-neck gown, which she paired with dramatic drop diamond earrings. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Naomie Harris Never one to shy away from daring textures, the beloved British talent amplified her cigarette trousers with a highly-decorative sheer cape that accentuated her longline figure. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Cressida Bonas Void of colour is by no means void of charm as Bonas proved in this wonderfully-girlish gown. Complete with a decorative bodice and dynamic skirt, the British actress looked just the part for the glamorous ceremony ahead. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Kate Mara In a playful interpretation of the all-black dress code, the American actress' intricately-embellished Dior gown featured gold piping and a gentle tulle skirt. Minimal jewellery brought an elevated elegance to her look. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Sir Patrick Stewart Proudly sporting a #TimesUp pin next to his lapel, the British acting legend showed his support for the movement in a dark navy and black suit. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Octavia Spencer Renowned for a slew of sartorial successes on the red carpet, the Academy-Award-winning actress brought a subtle opulence to the BAFTAs in a geometrically-patterned gown, paired with fairy-like cropped sleeves. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Nicholas Hoult There's nothing wrong with a classic tuxedo, as the former Skins frontman proved in his perfectly-tailored look. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Letitia Wright Taking some time out to from Black Panther promo, the British actress turned heads in a slim-fitting velvet gown by Gucci, complete with diamanté straps and an army of glittering bumblebees. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Will Poulter The young British actor wore an all-black ensemble accessorised only by a #TimesUp pin and a classic pair of specs. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Anya Taylor-Joy Staying true to her trademark gothic aesthetic, the 21-year-old actress brought a dark romance to the red carpet in a sheer lace Dolce & Gabbana gown. Plus, in an unexpected regal twist, the star of The Miniaturist completed her look with a decadent golden crown. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Rochelle Humes The British singer arrived to host the red carpet arrival coverage wearing a simple but effective plunging long-sleeved gown. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Natalie Dormer The former Game of Thrones star cut a slick silhouette in a strapless chiffon Alberta Ferretti gown with a dramatic micro-train that billowed over the red carpet. Rex Features BAFTAs 2018: Best dressed guests on the red carpet Kristen Scott Thomas The Darkest Hour actress donned a black tapered Dior gown while showcasing her new pixie haircut. Paired with a #TimesUp pin and a rather dazzling pair of oversized diamond Buccellati earrings, Scott Thomas' look was the perfect amalgamation of red carpet glamour and sophistication. Rex Features

Throughout the ceremony, many actors took the opportunity to speak about the Time’s Up movement, including best actor winner Frances McDormand, who said upon accepting the award: “I want you to know I stand in full solidarity with my sisters tonight in black.”

Presenting an Outstanding British Debut, Gemma Arterton — who was joined at the event by activists Eileen Pullen and Gwen Davis — said: “I would just like to thank you all for standing up for equality tonight”.

During her opening monologue, Lumley went on to joke about the Baftas “not just about the famous people… but let's have a look at the famous people here tonight!” She poked fun at nominee Gary Oldman, Sally Hawkins, Frances McDormand, Daniel Kaluuya, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Annette Bening.

“The exceedingly charming Hugh Grant is in the building,” she joked. “Quite how Hugh managed to portray a vain and egocentric actor is honestly beyond me.”

The host opened the ceremony with a skit taking phone calls from various Bafta nominated films, including Death of Stalin, Call Me By Your Name, and Darkest Hour.