Roger Federer’s awkward royal blunder at Wimbledon

Tennis legend Roger Federer has made a protocol gaffe with Princess Catherine while being honoured at Wimbledon. See the video.

Wimbledon has paid tribute to Roger Federer as the eight-time champion returned to the scene of his some of his greatest triumphs.

The Centre Court crowd gave the Swiss great a prolonged standing ovation interspersed with cheers as he entered the royal box.

Federer, fresh from appearing on stage with Coldplay in Zurich at the weekend, was visibly moved before greeting Princess Catherine, who he was seated next to.

As he walked into the royal box he touched the Princess of Wales on the back and leaned forward as if going to kiss her on the cheek before Catherine — who appeared briefly surprised — quickly moved away from him.

Former Wimbledon champion Roger Federer is honoured in the Royal Box. Picture: Getty Images.

Roger Federer touches the Princess of Wales on her back, breaking royal protocol. Picture: Getty Images.

Royal protocol dictates that members of the royal family should never be touched in public unless they offer their own hand in greeting.

But the show of affection was likely not unfamiliar between the pair with Federer and Kate’s sister Pippa having been friends for years and he has also taught Prince George tennis.

The Princess applauded Federer enthusiastically before engaging his wife Mirka in animated conversation.

The Princess of Wales with Roger Federer and his wife Mirka during his standing ovation. Picture: Getty Images)

A visibly moved Roger Federer takes a bow. Picture: Getty Images

The 41-year-old has mostly stayed away from tennis since bowing out in emotional scenes at the Laver Cup in London in September but was similarly honoured at the grass-court event in Halle, Germany, last month.

Roger Federer, with his wife Mirka, watch from the royal box during the women’s singles first round match between Shelby Rogers of the US and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Picture: Getty Images

The celebration under the closed roof of Centre Court threatened to upstage the first match of the championship for Elena Rybakina, the defending women’s champion, who started her campaign against US player Shelby Rogers.
 Federer, who ended his career with 20 Grand Slam titles, won his first Wimbledon title in 2003 and a record eighth men’s crown in 2017.

He played his final match at the All England club in 2021, losing in the quarter-finals to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.

Novak Djokovic is the hot favourite to equal Federer’s Wimbledon mark this year and secure his 24th Grand Slam title.

– With AFP