Princess Kate stunned Wimbledon when she turned up last year, but this year the future Queen could face a far trickier problem
Princess Kate reportedly moved Wimbledon to tears last year
Princess Kate Middleton left Wimbledon’s Centre Court in tears after arriving at the venue for the Men’s Singles Final in 2024.
Kate had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer during the first half of the year before her appearance at the event.
Kate, the future Queen, had been keeping a low profile during this time, says Robert Jobson in his book Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography; he said she realised she could comfort people by appearing in public.
He explained: “The world would also have intermittent glimpses of the steely inner strength of the Princess of Wales as the year continued.
“At the same time, she was equally aware of the reassurance and comfort that she could provide to those in a similar predicament.”
Robert suggests that this may have been one of her motivations for attending Wimbledon — not just because she enjoys tennis, but because of what her presence would represent.
He added: “On the afternoon of 14 July, the 15,000 spectators packed inside Wimbledon’s Centre Court rose as one to welcome the Princess to the Men’s Singles Final of the tennis championships. Many in the crowd were in tears.
Princess Charlotte and Princess Kate(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
“It was not just the shy smile on the face of the tennis-loving Princess, thrilled to be at one of her favourite events, that set them off. It was also the fact that a beaming nine-year-old Princess Charlotte was at her side.”
Since then, Kate has completed her course of chemotherapy and has continued to make more public appearances, but details about the exact nature of her cancer remain undisclosed.
What’s more, there is uncertainty over how many Wimbledon matches she will attend this year, amid reports she might not attend the Ladies’ Final if it appears a Belarusian or Russian player is likely to win, reports The Express.
Russia is currently at war with Ukraine, a UK ally, while Belarus is an ally of Russia — making the optics of a British royal presenting a trophy to a player from one of those countries politically sensitive.
Currently, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka has been joined by three Russian players in the quarter-finals, with The Mail reporting that Kate would need to take advice on how to handle the trophy presentation — including whether and how to shake hands — if one of those players proves victorious.
Kate Middleton
Away from the tennis, focus has intensified on Kate’s diet, with the Princess reportedly enjoying a £1.48 superfood daily that may help reduce inflammation.
The superfood in question is blueberries, a fruit believed to offer multiple health benefits. Speaking about their impact, Dr Federica Amati said: “Blueberries are touted as a superfood that we should be consuming every day.
“I have to say that the evidence is really good — blueberries are a great fruit to add to your daily diet. But it’s important to remember that we need a diversity of plants, so enjoy your blueberries, but make sure they’re not the only fruit you’re eating.”