The Princess of Wales is attending the Wimbledon men’s final with her daughter, Princess Charlotte , in her second public engagement since announcing her cancer diagnosis.
Kate, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, will present the trophy to the winner of the clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
Kate and Charlotte were greeted by British players Emma Raducanu , Sonay Kartal, Lily Miyazaki, Lucy Shuker and Flora Johnson as they arrived on the player’s lawn at Wimbledon before entering Centre Court.
Charlotte gave wheelchair tennis player Shuker a “pinky promise” that she would try the sport alongside her mother.
Kate was also introduced to Raducanu, who was knocked out in the fourth round of this year’s championships, telling her: “It was so hard to see you go out.”
US Open winner Raducanu said it was “amazing” to have the support of the princess and “see her here looking so healthy and happy”.
Kate and Charlotte were greeted with cheers and applause as they took their seats in the front row of the royal box at Centre Court.
Kate, wearing a purple Safiyaa dress, smiled broadly and waved to the crowd as the pair sat down beside her sister Pippa Matthews.
While meeting the players, Kate said Charlotte, who was wearing a navy polka dot dress, had been “practising yesterday” and that tennis was “really great for the youngsters”.
Kate said she had been “filling in the leaderboard” with Charlotte during Wimbledon, adding: “As a family, we play a lot.”
After being asked to try wheelchair tennis by Shuker, Kate said: “I’ve tried wheelchair rugby before, but not tennis. You’ll have to hold me to that.”
Shuker, the highest ranked British wheelchair women’s tennis player, told the PA news agency: “She was just saying how amazing it’s been to watch and follow everyone’s career.
“Alfie Hewett won the men’s wheelchair tennis earlier. I just asked if they were playing tennis themselves, which they have been, and then said: ‘Have you tried wheelchair tennis?’
“And I got a little pinky promise from Princess Charlotte that she would try it.”
Shuker added: “For me, it’s incredibly humbling to be here and to be asked to meet the princess today.”
Discussing her meeting with Kate, Raducanu told PA: “It was very nice to see Her Royal Highness again. I’ve met her twice before, and it was really nice to meet Charlotte as well, because I hadn’t before.
“It’s amazing to see her be such a champion of tennis and following all of us.
“We just spoke a little bit about my tournament, and the tennis, and also how I missed last year but I was very excited to come back this year. And a little bit about her tennis because she loves it.”
Asked about Kate’s appearance at the tournament following her diagnosis, Raducanu said: “I think it just shows her resilience and how much of a role model she is and it’s amazing to see her here looking so healthy and happy.”
Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy and made her first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London last month.
She did not attend the women’s singles final on Saturday, and Wimbledon chairwoman Debbie Jevans presented the trophy to Barbora Krejcikova on her behalf.
During their meeting on Sunday, Krejcikova gifted the Princess of Wales the racquet she used during her victory.
Actors Tom Cruise, Zendaya and Hugh Jackman were among the celebrities attending Centre Court as Czech player Krejcikova fought off Italian Jasmine Paolini to claim a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Kate paid tribute to double champion Sir Andy Murray , saying he should be “so very proud” after he missed out on a final chance at Wimbledon.
In a personally-signed message on social media, the princess wrote: “An incredible #Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andy_murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C.”
Sir Andy was due to play mixed doubles with Raducanu but the former US Open champion pulled out of the clash, citing stiffness in her right wrist.
Kate visited the championships several times last year and presented Alcaraz with his first Wimbledon trophy after watching him battle Djokovic in the men’s singles final.
On Friday, Kate missed a charity polo match as husband William took to the field to raise funds for good causes at Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park.
In a statement released last month, the princess revealed she is making good progress but “not out of the woods yet” and has “good days and bad days” as she continues her treatment.
The Prince of Wales, president of the Football Association, will be in Berlin later on Sunday to attend England’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Some spectators at Wimbledon could be seen wearing white England football shirts at the championships on Sunday morning.
Most Popular
Comments / 0