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Pippa’s toe-curling Wimbledon moment

Kate’s sister Pippa suffered and awkward moment at Wimbledon after the Princess of Wales met with men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz.

'Symbol of unity': Princess Kate receives standing ovation at Wimbledon alongside Charlotte

The Princess of Wales’ sister Pippa Matthews suffered an embarrassing moment at Wimbledon while meeting men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Kate attended the men’s singles final on Sunday with Princess Charlotte, nine, and Pippa while Prince William was in Germany supporting England’s football team with Prince George.

Spain’s Alcaraz won the match in three sets after taking on seven-times Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Princess Kate looked as though she was trying to introduce Pippa to Alcaraz but he accidentally walked away.
Princess Kate looked as though she was trying to introduce Pippa to Alcaraz but he accidentally walked away.

After presenting Alcaraz with the trophy Princess Kate spoke to him off the court and told him she and Charlotte had been watching him at home.

“This is Charlotte, [she was] cheering you on. You had everything crossed,” Kate said.

Alcaraz replied: “Nice to meet you.”

Kate added: “We’ve watched a lot on telly, so it’s great to finally get to meet you.”

Kate then touched the tennis player on the shoulder and could be heard saying “best of luck, enjoy the weather”.

Pippa Middleton with Princess Charlotte and the Princess of Wales. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)
Pippa Middleton with Princess Charlotte and the Princess of Wales. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP)

But when Kate seemingly tried to introduce her sister Alcaraz didn’t notice and walked away.

Kate could be seen taking a step back and touching Pippa on the shoulder but Alcaraz was already walking off.

But they recovered well and Kate, Pippa and Charlotte applauded him as he walked away.

Earlier Kate received a standing ovation as she arrived at Wimbledon in her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis was announced.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Gentlemen's Singles Final during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates with the trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Gentlemen's Singles Final during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Kate’s Wimbledon outing is only her second official appearance since last Christmas Day.

She has been undergoing treatment for cancer in recent months, after undergoing abdominal surgery in January during which the disease was first detected.

Kate revealed her diagnosis to the world in an emotional video statement in March, confirming she would remain absent from the public eye for the foreseeable future.

Then came a positive development last month, with the princess releasing a lengthy statement in which she explained that she was making “good progress” while cautioning that she was “not out of the woods yet”.

Pippa has always been a huge support to her sister. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Pippa has always been a huge support to her sister. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said, adding that her treatment would be ongoing for a few more months.

“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.”

While Kate indicated in the statement that she was hoping to return for select events across the British summer, no specific commitments were made – with the exception of the Trooping the Colour parade, which was held the following day.

The popular royal was greeted with a huge roar of approval from crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace for the celebration of the monarch’s birthday.

Travelling alongside her three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 5, she beamed as she waved back to onlookers.

Kate appeared to breeze happily through the almost three-hour engagement, which culminated in the traditional palace balcony photo op during the fly-past – but according to royal insiders, it had “weeks of planning” and effort behind it.

The UK’s Telegraph reported at the time that while “preparations had been made in private”, Kate’s decision to take part in the event only came after she had judged whether she “had enough energy”.

- With Bronte Coy

Originally published as Pippa’s toe-curling Wimbledon moment

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/pippas-toecurling-wimbledon-moment/news-story/d71b41e749f042661fee3874b5c96111