Kate arrives at Wimbledon: Princess of Wales wows crowd as she appears in SW19 for first time at this year’s championships
The Princess of Wales has wowed the Wimbledon crowds as she arrived at the Championships for the first time this year.
Catherine, 44, smiled as she chatted to members of the public who had joined the queue for Wimbledon tickets in the early hours of this morning.
She also helped hand out grounds passes to tennis fans, some of whom had camped overnight in Wimbledon Park to secure coveted access to the tournament.
Kate posed for selfies with members of the public, affectionately putting her arm around one woman who was holding her phone in one hand and her queue card in the other.
She was also overheard telling two attendees: ‘Have a really fun time’.
Kate donned an elegant blue linen suit for the occasion, which she paired with a white top.
She wore her hair in a pony tail and finished off the outfit with a pair of drop earrings with an an oval royal-blue gemstone.
During her time at Wimbledon today, Kate is expected to watch a match on one of the outer courts, alongside Tim Henman.
They will also be joined by chair of the All England Club Deborah Jevans.
Later, Kate will meet members of the Shine Camera Club, a creative photography programme which supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Kate puts her arm around a tennis fan as they pose for a selfie together in Wimbledon Park
The Princess of Wales helps out in the ticket office on day four of the Championships
Catherine, 44, smiled as she chatted to members of the public who had joined the queue for Wimbledon tickets in the early hours of this morning
Kate donned a stunning blue suit and white top for her appearance at the Championships today
As a royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, Kate is a regular fixture at the prestigious tournament.
She has attended most years since 2011, missing only 2013, when she was pregnant with Prince George, and 2020, when the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is unclear whether she will sit in the Royal Box on Centre Court today where third seed Iga Swiatek is due to take on Karolina Pliskova in the second round of the ladies singles.
This will be followed by young French star Arthur Fils, 20, who is taking on Italian player Matteo Berrettini.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will close out play on the show court with her match against American Caty McNally.
Kate’s appearance at the Championships today comes just days after she completed the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday night.
She did the endurance event solo and was supported on the route by Mountain Rescue, with her family meeting her at the last stop at the base of Snowdon in Wales.
The Princess of Wales has wowed the Wimbledon crowd as she appeared at the Championships for the first time this year
As a royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, Kate is a regular fixture at the prestigious tournament
A tennis fan purchases their grounds pass off Kate as she helped out in the ticket office this morning
Kate speaks to the crowds during her visit to the Championships today
It has a total walking distance of 23 miles (37 kilometres), an ascent of 10,05ft of vertical climbing and a driving distance between the peaks of approximately 462 miles.
The Princess was driven between the peaks – Scotland, then England and finally Wales – by her team.
It is not believed that any other member of the Royal Family has completed the Three Peaks Challenge, also making the princess’s triumph a royal first.
Kate was last at Wimbledon for the men’s final last year when she handed Jannik Sinner the Wimbledon trophy following an enthralling four-set final.
She was joined in the Royal Box today by her husband Prince William, eldest son Prince George and Princess Charlotte but Louis stayed at home.
The Princess donned her ‘Wimbledon bow’ – a brooch featuring the tournament’s iconic colours – which it’s believed she has worn every time she has visited Wimbledon.
Kate was also present for the 2025 women’s final and offered consoling words to the runner-up Amanda Anisimova after a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Swiatek.
In 2024, while recovering from cancer, Kate did not attend the women’s final but was on hand for Carlos Alcaraz’s win over Novak Djokovic at the All England Club.
