Princess of Wales to Attend Wimbledon Men’s Final

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Saturday, July 13, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport

Wimbledon—The Royal Box will welcome a regal popular presence on Sunday. 

The Princess of Wales will attend the Wimbledon final rematch between reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, Kensington Palace announced today.

More: Alcaraz Advances to Second Wimbledon Final

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced earlier this year she is undergoing cancer treatment.

Prince William, the Princess of Wales’ husband, is not scheduled to attend the men’s final. Princess Catherine, a devoted recreational tennis player and avid fan who has hit with friends Roger Federer and Mirka Federer in the past, has traditionally presented the trophies to the ladies’ and men’s singles champions.

The Princess of Wales will not be presenting the Rosewater Dish to the Wimbledon ladies’ champion, the AELTC announced earlier today.

“At the request of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Patron of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the trophies will be presented on court by Deborah Jevans CBE, Chair of The All England Lawn Tennis Club,” Wimbnledon said in a statement. “Deborah will be accompanied by: Sally Bolton OBE, Chief Executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club Sandi Procter, President of the LTA.”

Annabel Croft will conduct the on-court interviews following the ladies’ final.

In a moving video announcement issued in March, the Princess of Wales shared her condition and chemotherapy treatment plan.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London,” Kate Middleton said in her announcement. “And at the time, it was thought my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, however tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

“My medical team therefore advised I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I’m not in the early stages of that treatment.”

Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport

The Princess of Wales showed her compassion consoling Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur following her Wimbledon finals losses to Elena Rybakina in 2022 and to Czech left-hander Marketa Vondrousova last July.

Asked who will present the trophies to the Wimbledon men’s champion and runner-up trophies on Sunday, Deborah Jevans said in accordance with club policy the presenter will be announced the morning of the final. 

“And when it comes to the presentation ceremony, as in previous years, we will announce those that are going to be a part of that ceremony on the morning of the finals, so nothing has changed in that regard,” Deborah Jevans said.