The Royal Family has announced Kate Middleton will be making a rare public appearance when she attends Wimbledon – it comes a day after an update was issued about the Princess of Wales’ health by the palace
Kate Middleton will make a welcome return to Wimbledon tomorrow when the Princess of Wales returns to centre court.
Royal fans will be thrilled at her return as she continues with her cancer recovery. and she will be there to present the trophy to either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final. But she will not attend today and Wimbledon chairwoman, Debbie Jevans, will present the women’s champion trophy on behalf of Kate to either Jasmine Paolini or Barbora Krejcikova.
However, there are some strict rules Kate will have to follow when she takes her seat in the royal box. Most visitors must find their own seats, as they vie to watch another epic showdown, but a select few will be invited to spectate from Centre Court’s Royal Box. Frequented by sporting royalty and royalty alike, it’s common to spot Prince William or Kate Middleton enjoying the best seats in the house.
But not all tennis fans get the chance to enjoy the sought-after Box. With entry by invite only, only the biggest stars get one of the 74 luxury seats, and once inside, esteemed guests must follow a very strict set of rules. While one royal tradition has been scrapped in recent years, Wimbledon prides itself on its heritage and so guests must observe protocol. The Royal Box dates back to 1922 and it has been used to entertain friends and guests of Wimbledon ever since.
Accordingly, you must be personally invited by the Chairman of the All England Club before you can enjoy one of the iconic green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs. As you would expect, British and overseas royal families are welcome. Invitations are also extended to heads of government, people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British armed forces, prominent media organisations, and supporters of British tennis, among others.
All lucky guests are also invited to the Clubhouse for their choice of lunch, tea and drinks at the end of the day. But guests of the Royal Box must meet expectations not required of sports fans seated elsewhere. Namely, they must dress in smart attire. Wimbledon advises this means wearing a suit or jacket, plus a tie, for men. However, in contrast to other formal occasions, women are asked not to wear hats, so as not to block anyone’s view.
Up until 2003, it was also tradition for players to bow or curtsey to members of the Royal family, seated in the Royal Box, when entering or leaving Centre Court. But this practice was discontinued in accordance with the wishes of HRH The Duke of Kent, the Club’s President, with the only exception being if a monarch is in attendance.
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