-
Each year, millions of sports enthusiasts tune in to watch the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament in the world.
For Kate, the Princess of Wales, the Wimbledon Championships is more than just a game; it’s a ‘quintessential part of the English summer’.
Those lucky enough to get tickets to watch in person get through around 140,000 punnets of strawberries and 10,000 litres of cream.
As Kate is expected to return to the royal spotlight on July 8 for the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, royal observers are eager to catch a glimpse of the princess at this year’s championships.
Kate, who has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, was tasked with handing out the winners and runner-up trophies at Wimbledon in 2023.
Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur was tearful after coming runner-up in two consecutive finals. It was a tough time for the athlete as she also lost at the US Open Final that year.
As Kate presented her with her runners-up prize, the two stopped to talk.
Kate, known for her kind gestures, offered words of encouragement and embraced the visibly distressed athlete in a break from royal protocol.
Kate Middleton, who has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, was tasked with handing out the winners and runner-up trophies at Wimbledon in 2023
Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur was tearful after coming runner-up in two consecutive finals. It was a tough time for the athlete as she also lost at the US Open Final that year
Kate, known for her kind gestures, offered words of encouragement and embraced the visibly distressed athlete in a break from royal protocol
In an interview, Jabeur said: ‘Obviously, she was very nice. She didn’t know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me.’
When she was asked what Kate had said to her, she added: ‘Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon.’
The Princess has been a fan of the sport since childhood, with the royal telling Sue Barker in a 2017 BBC documentary: ‘I have watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up.
‘I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game. It hasn’t changed either, I think that’s what’s so wonderful.’
Speaking to Hello!, Jabeur added that the Royal initiated the warm embrace, noting her kind energy was a significant support: ‘She was really the nicest. She has watched me twice, losing the final twice.
‘She kept asking me if she could hug me, and I was like, “Who doesn’t want a hug from a Princess, you know?”
‘For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me.’
This comes as the tennis star had to retire just 26 minutes into the first round during this year’s tournament.
