Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance at Wimbledon last year
11:58, 07 Jul 2025Updated 13:50, 07 Jul 2025
(Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
As this year’s Wimbledon tournament is well underway, many spectators have been delighting in the numerous Royal and celebrity sightings off the court, whilst also enjoying the fantastic performances by the world’s top tennis players. With Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice already spotted in the Royal box, many are curious about which other members of the Royal Family will be seen courtside for the remainder of the competition.
Last year saw the triumphant return of Princess Kate to Wimbledon, with many hoping she will once again grace one of the matches this year. When Kate made her appearance at the summer event in 2024, she was greeted with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation, her last-minute arrival thrilling thousands of spectators.
Kate was accompanied by Princess Charlotte for the men’s final match, where Kate had the honour of presenting the trophy to the winner. This memorable appearance marked only the second time the Princess of Wales had been seen in public since the shocking announcement of her cancer diagnosis just months prior.
(Image: PA)
Kate, a long-time tennis enthusiast and regular attendee at past Wimbledon tournaments, received a round of applause as she arrived smiling at Centre Court. She politely summoned then nine-year-old Charlotte into her seat, alongside Pippa Middleton, reports the Mirror.
Lip-reading specialist Nicola Hickling has offered some insight into a conversation involving the Princess recently. According to Hickling’s observations, Kate instructed: “Charlotte, I want you to sit here and Pippa, you’re next to Charlotte. Just here.”
Then she turned to former tennis professional, Debbie Jevans, who was seated on her left and dressed in a cream suit, and joyfully said: “It’s so good, and we’re seated together.”
Kate has been a patron of the AELTC, which conducts the day-to-day operations of The Championships, since 2016 and its official colours are purple and green, as she wore a stunning purple dress to match the occasion.
This was not the first time Kate sat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, as an avid tennis fan and regular championships attendee. The Royal Box dates back to 1922 and has been used to entertain friends and guests ever since.
(Image: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)
An invitation from the Chairman of the All England Club is necessary to experience the plushness of the traditional green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs within the Royal Box.
Many have speculated whether Princess Kate will be attending this year’s Wimbledon tournament, given her recent last-minute decision to pull out of her appearance at Royal Ascot, sharing a statement that she was still “finding the right balance” between recovering from cancer and her royal duties.
The princess completed three engagements in the week leading up to Royal Ascot, attending the new V&A East Storeroom exhibition space in London, the King’s official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour and Garter Day in Windsor.
After pulling out of her Ascot appearance, Princess Kate spoke candidly about her recovery at the Colchester Hospital’s cancer centre, saying: “There is this whole phase when you finish your treatment that you, yourself, everybody expects you, right you’ve finished your time, go, you’re better, and that’s not the case at all.”