Princess Catherine will attend Wimbledon men’s singles final
It is the news tennis fans and royal watchers have been waiting for — Princess Catherine will attend Wimbledon with a slight change to how it will unfold.
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It is the news tennis fans and royal watchers have been waiting for — Princess Catherine will attend the Wimbledon men’s final to present the winner’s trophy.
The Princess of Wales will hand over the prize to either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
However, the Princess did not attend the women’s singles final and Wimbledon chairwoman Debbie Jevans presented the women’s champion trophy on behalf of her to 28-year-old Czech player Barbora Krejcikova.
“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,” the statement read.
“Deborah will be accompanied by Sally Bolton OBE, Chief Executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (and) Sandi Procter, President of the LTA.”
Krejcikova pulled off a stunning triumph in the women’s singles final, beating the favoured Italian player Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Aussie star Hugh Jackman watched on from the Royal Box as the Czech player kept calm and triumphed after a tension-filled match.
It was a particularly poignant win for the Czech player, whose mentor was the great Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon champion, who died from cancer aged 49 seven years ago.
The Royal Family has historical links to Wimbledon, with its members seen in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Queen Camilla and Princess Beatrice have both been to the tournament this year as well as the Duchess of Gloucester — Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association — and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
The Princess of Wales has been patron of the All England Club for eight years.
She took over from Queen Elizabeth II, who had served in the role since 1952. She has presented the trophies each year since 2016.
Princess Catherine was last seen in public watching Trooping The Colour last month on June 15 with the slimmed down monarchy of working royals who are supporting King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The 42-year-old future queen appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony, to cheers from the crowds below.
The Princess of Wales announced in March she been diagnosed with cancer and had begun chemotherapy.
Before then, she had not been seen at a public engagement since a Christmas Day service last year.
In a statement released at the time, she said she was “making good progress” with her treatment, which is set to last for several more months, but was “not out of the woods yet”.
Her cancer announcement came just weeks after it was disclosed that King Charles had also been diagnosed with the condition. Neither has revealed what type of cancer they have.
King Charles, 75, was given the green light to resume public duties in April, after doctors said they were “very encouraged” by his progress.
Royal officials are keen to manage expectations about Kate’s gradual return to the public eye, and have maintained that her appearances will depend on her treatment and recovery.
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