Prince William and Kate attend BAFTA gala

Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrive at the BAFTA Brits to Watch gala held at the Belasco Theatre on July 9, 2011, in Los Angeles.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) Updated 12:13 a.m. EDT

After spending the afternoon at a charity polo match, Prince William and Kate walked the red carpet alongside Hollywood royalty at a black-tie gala in Los Angeles.

The soiree at the Belasco Theatre in downtown Los Angeles was organized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, of which William is president, to promote up-and-coming British talent in the industry.

William's wife, the former Kate Middleton, wore a flowing lilac dress with white waistband by Alexander McQueen. Fans cheered as they strode a red carpet and the couple responded by walking over and shaking a few hands.

Pictures: Newlyweds attend BAFTA gala
Pictures: William and Kate at charity polo match
Pictures: William and Kate arrive in California

Hollywood stars also in attendance include Tom Hanks, Nicole Kidman, Kristin Chenoweth, Jason Bateman, Blake Lively, Mary Louise Parker and Jennifer Lopez.

"I'd like to thank Colin Firth for my opening line: I have a voice," William quipped in brief remarks to the star-studded audience, referring to Firth's role as King George VI in the acclaimed film "The King's Speech."

The Duke of Cambridge also urged Hollywood to embrace the new wave of British talent.

"Please give them the opportunities you have always extended to some of the brightest and best that Britain has to offer," he said. "When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens."

The Los Angeles Times reports that William and Kate will meet with the evening's 42 honorees briefly in a private reception during the gala.

Then, the honorees will get to mingle with Hollywood insiders. According to E! Online, examples of their work will be shown throughout the night and handed out to every attendee.

William and Kate are on the second day of their three-day visit to Southern California. On Sunday, they will watch a dance at a nonprofit academy in the gritty Skid Row area of downtown then attend a job fair for U.S. servicemen and women transitioning to civilian life.

[rgage12]

How much did their visit cost taxpayers for extra security?

[signseeker1717]

The Royal family receive an annual British parliamentary allowance to carry out official public duties, which includes over 3,000 national and worldside appearances. This includes trasportation and security. The Queen also pays a substantial amount of the expenses. The "taxpayers" of the countries they visit pay nothing.

[rgage12]

So for the police escorts the U.S. taxpayers are paid in full?

[whammersley]

I really wonder if Kate's looks were more closely akin to those of Bulah The Witch, would we be going through all this media attention?

[andie52]

I think they are both adorable and in case you've forgotten Camilla was no beauty queen.. They are also over here promoting charities."Charity work at the heart of William and Kate's trip to USA"

[longtree-2009]

kate looks old, older than william.