Catherine, Princess of Wales and daughter Princess Charlotte attended the Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday, in her second public appearance this year while she undergoes preventive chemotherapy for cancer.
The Princess of Wales, who is patron of the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, was wearing a bright purple Safiyaa dress as she strode into the venue with her daughter ahead of the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.
Arriving at Centre Court's royal box to take her seat next to her sister Pippa Matthews, Princess Catherine waved to spectators, some holding union flags, who gave her a standing ovation.
The princesses 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.
Princess Charlotte gave wheelchair tennis player Shuker a “pinky promise” that she would try the sport alongside her mother.
Princess Catherine 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.”
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Carlos Alcaraz after defeating Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the Wimbledon final on July 14, 2024. PA -
Carlos Alcaraz alongside Novak Djokovic after the match. Getty Images -
Carlos Alcaraz receives his trophy from the Princess of Wales after defeating Novak Djokovic. AP -
Novak Djokovic with the runners-up trophy. PA -
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after retaining his Wimbledon title. Getty Images -
Carlos Alcaraz is congratulated by Novak Djokovic after the match. AP -
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-2, 7-6. AFP -
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory. Getty Images -
Carlos Alcaraz plays a forehand return to Novak Djokovic. AP -
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates a point during the final. EPA -
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic during the men's singles final at Wimbledon. AP -
Carlos Alcaraz slides to play a shot against Novak Djokovic. Getty Images -
Novak Djokovic during the final against Carlos Alcaraz. Reuters -
Carlos Alcaraz all full stretch during the final against Novak Djokovic. Reuters -
Novak Djokovic during the final against Carlos Alcaraz. EPA -
Novak Djokovic celebrates winning a point during his match against Carlos Alcaraz. PA -
Carlos Alcaraz plays a backhand against Novak Djokovic. EPA
US Open winner Raducanu said it was “amazing” to have the support of the princess and “see her here looking so healthy and happy”.
While meeting the players, Princess Catherine said her daughter, who was wearing a navy polka dot dress, had been “practising yesterday” and that tennis was “really great for the youngsters”.
Princess Catherine said she had been “filling in the leader board” with Princess Charlotte during Wimbledon, adding: “As a family, we play a lot.”
After being asked to try wheelchair tennis by Shuker, Princess Catherine 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.
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Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic celebrates with the trophy after winning the Wimbledon final against Italy's Jasmine Paolini on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Reuters -
Barbora Krejcikova celebrates in her box after winning the women's final. EPA -
Barbora Krejcikova after her victory. AFP -
Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with her friends and family. Getty Images -
Runner-up Jasmine Paolini of Italy smiles with her trophy. Getty Images -
Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her victory over Jasmine Paolini. PA -
Barbora Krejcikova celebrates winning the final. Reuters -
Barbora Krejcikova after beating Jasmine Paolini. AP -
Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with the winner's trophy. Reuters -
Jasmine Paolini after losing her footing against Barbora Krejcikova. Getty Images -
Jasmine Paolini of Italy reacts after slipping on court. AP -
Jasmine Paolini celebrates during her match against Barbora Krejcikova. PA -
Czech Republic's Barbora Krejcikova in action during the final. Reuters -
Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic after winning a point. EPA
“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.”
“For me, it’s incredibly humbling to be here and to be asked to meet the princess today,” Shuker added.
Discussing her meeting with Princess Catherine, 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 Princess Catherine's appearance at the tournament following 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.”
Princess Catherine 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.
On Friday, Princess Catherine missed a charity polo match as husband Prince 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.
