Kate Middleton stuns at Wimbledon with unexpected ace

The Duchess of Cambridge stole the show with her debut at this year’s tournament, upstaging Novak Djokovic in the men’s quarter-finals.

Prince William and Kate made their first appearance at Wimbledon 2022 to watch Novak Djokovic take on Italian Jannik Sinner in the men’s quarter-finals.

But all eyes were on the Duchess of Cambridge in a recycled cornflower-blue polka dot dress that sent Royal observers into a gushing frenzy.

Sticking to Wimbledon’s sustainable theme, Kate dipped back into her wardrobe for an encore performance of the belted dress by Alessandra Rich.

She last wore the dress only a month ago during the Big Lunch event at the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, during the men's singles quarterfinal tennis match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Italy's Jannik Sinner at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2022. Picture: Sebastien Bozon / AFP.

The dress retailed for about $2650 but could be picked up on sale for about $800 before it went out of production. It has three-quarter-length sleeves, a high neck, a waist belt, and a midi-length hemline.

Fashion and celebrity media quickly lit up with attestations of Kate’s “perfect” Wimbledon wear, with Vogue saying she “aced the dress code”, and People magazine declaring it the “perfect royal re-ware”

They arrived at the All England Club to watch British hopeful Cameron Norrie take on David Goffin in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles.

The Duke and Duchess were joined in the Royal Box by Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton, who blew kisses at each other in greeting.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge watch from the Royal Box. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the All England Club, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge watch from the Royal Box as Novak Djokovic of Serbia wins against Jannik Sinner of Italy during their Men's Singles Quarter Final match. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Other guests in the Royal box included David Walliams, Sir Tim Rice, and former Australian rugby player George Gregan.

While usually in front of the camera, Kate got behind the lens recently to photograph Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, for the cover of Country Life magazine.

In celebration of her 75th birthday, Camilla guest-edited the issue of the magazine and requested that Kate take its cover photo.

Country Life Editor Mark Hedges told The Telegraph that Camilla immediately requested that she’d like “Catherine to do it”.

“I spent the next three or four minutes desperately racking my brain trying to think of a professional photographer called Catherine. Then suddenly I grasped what she meant – one of the most amazing things that could happen,” he said.

“I found it one of the easier things to nod my head at.”

Originally published as Kate Middleton stuns at Wimbledon with unexpected ace