Kate Middleton all smiles at Wimbledon for men’s single final in rare public appearance
Kate Middleton was all smiles at Wimbledon during her second public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March.
The princess, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presented the trophy to the victorious men’s final winner Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
Before passing the trophy to Alcaraz, Kate commiserated and shook the hand of runner-up Novak Djokovic.
She arrived at the tennis tournament in SW19 less than an hour before the final was due to begin with her daughter, Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton.
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 Lucy 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.”
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.
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The Princess of Wales wore a bright violet capped sleeve midi dress from Safiyaa with nude Camilla Elphick sling-back pumps and a matching LK Bennett leather box bag with gold hardware.
Kate, who has been undergoing chemotherapy, made her first public appearance since announcing her diagnosis in March at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London last month.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales, president of the Football Association, was with Prince George at 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.
Actors Tom Cruise, Zendaya and Hugh Jackman were among the celebrities who attended the Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Saturday as Czech player Krejcikova fought off Italian Jasmine Paolini to claim a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory in the women’s singles championship.
Kate did not attend the women’s final and Wimbledon chair, Debbie Jevans, presented the trophy to Krejcikova on her behalf.
Earlier in the tournament, the princess paid tribute to double champion Sir Andy Murray saying he should be “so very proud” after he missed out on a final match at Wimbledon.
In a personally-signed message on social media, Kate 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 Emma Raducanu but the former US Open champion pulled out of the clash, citing stiffness in her right wrist.
The princess visited the championships several times last year and presented Alcaraz with his first Wimbledon trophy after watching him battle with Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final.
On Friday, Kate missed a charity polo match as 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 was making good progress but was “not out of the woods yet” and had “good days and bad days” as she continued her treatment.
Additional reporting by PA
