The best royal moments at Wimbledon
As the finals take place this weekend, we look back at our favourite royal appearances over the years
As Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge return to Wimbledon this year, we look back at five of the most memorable royal moments from the prestigious tournament, over the decades.
1926: The Duke of York played in a match
The Royal Family are not always confined to the Royal Box – in 1926 the then Duke of York – later King George VI - competed in a doubles match with Sir Louis Greig. Sadly, they lost, but you can watch archive footage of the match here.
1991/1994 Diana brings Prince William
Princess Diana aced Wimbledon style year after year, but our favourite moments were in 1991 when she brought nine-year-old Prince William with her and again in 1994, when he was 12. The final time Diana attended was 1995, shortly before her Panorama interview.
1993: The Duchess of Kent consoles a sobbing Jana Novotna
When Jana Novotna dramatically lost to Steffi Graf in the finals in 1993, she burst into tears on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent, who put her arm around her. “I know you will win it one day, don’t worry,” the duchess told her and so she did, in 1998, before sadly passing away aged 49 in 2017. The Duchess of Kent said on her passing, “Jana Novotna was a brave, courageous sweet lady with a wonderful sense of humour.”
2010 The Queen turns up for Andy Murray
Despite being the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club for decades, Her Majesty isn’t a big fan of the game and as such, has only attended Wimbledon four times. The last was in 2010 to watch Andy Murray – and even then, that was the first time in 33 years.
2018/2019 The double duchesses
Catherine and Meghan looked like a powerful double act when they attended Wimbledon together in 2018 and again in 2019. Catherine is now the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and a fixture at the finals. She always has her tennis outfits down to perfection - such as Saturday’s yellow Roksanda dress - and Meghan hit the ball out over the net too with her choices, both years, going for a Ralph Lauren striped shirt and wide-legged white pants and white shirt and pleated Hugo Boss skirt the following year.
The Waleses wow in Wales
He’s been the Prince of Wales since his Investiture on July 1 1969 at Caernarfon Castle and this week Prince Charles, along with the Duchess of Cornwall, were in the Principality for the annual Royal Wales Week. Which, in actual fact, was an action-packed three-day tour.
On Tuesday, the couple kicked off their visit with a warm welcome in Cardiff and later in Treorchy, Rhondda. The following day in Newport during a trip to a primary school, Camilla as patron of the National Literacy Trust, launched her Birthday Books Project, which will provide 25,000 children from 75 schools with a wellbeing and happiness-themed mini library.
The pair had a busy schedule during their stay in south and west Wales, and Charles capped off their last day on Thursday with a trip to the Pembrokeshire coast and St Govan’s Chapel, a medieval pilgrimage site.
Camilla commissions Kate
It’s no wonder Camilla looks so relaxed and happy on the latest cover of Country Life, because when she agreed to guest-edit the July edition the Duchess didn’t think twice about whom she’d like to take her cover shot: Catherine, her daughter-in-law and the Royal Family’s expert photographer.
The magazine’s editor, Mark Hedges, told The Telegraph he asked Camilla if she had any photographers in mind. “She immediately replied, ‘Oh I’d quite like Catherine to do it’,” he said. “I spent the next three or four minutes desperately racking my brains trying to think of a professional photographer called Catherine. Then I suddenly grasped what she meant.”
“The Duchess of Cambridge took her commission very seriously and was incredibly professional about the task at hand,” said Paula Lester, managing and features editor. “She phoned me to discuss our requirements for the cover and subsequently composed a range of beautifully shot images.”
Taken in the garden of Camilla’s private home, Ray Mill in Lacock, Wiltshire, we love the informal vibe that Catherine is brilliant at capturing. Camilla guest-edited the magazine to mark her forthcoming 75th birthday (on Sunday 17 July), following in the footsteps Charles who has twice edited the magazine. For a behind-the-scenes peek watch ITV’s Camilla’s Country Life documentary, on Wednesday July 13 at 9pm.
Smiling Queen returns to chaos
After what looked like a fun week in Scotland for Holyrood Week, a refreshed Queen made her way home, via Sandringham, where she enjoyed a private stay. She was snapped on her way south with her dresser and assistant, Angela Kelly by her side.
However, she didn’t get much chance to relax because as soon as she returned, she was faced with political turmoil, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing his resignation on Thursday. While Prime Ministers traditionally meet with the Queen first, it is reported he telephoned Her Majesty instead.
Meanwhile, there is a lovely new exhibition at Windsor Castle, to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. On display is the Coronation Dress and Robe of Estate designed by Sir Norman Hartnell and many other treasures, such as the Queen’s national brooches. It runs until September, for tickets visit here.
Get on The Platinum Jubilee Corgi Trail
We all know Her Majesty absolutely loves Corgis (and Dorgis), and during her lifetime she’s had more than 30 of them. In honour of our Corgi-crazy monarch during her Platinum Jubilee, ‘The Queen & Her Corgis’ trail is great way to spend a day in London. There are 19 uniquely-decorated canine sculptures, each measuring up to two metres in length, dotted around the city until July 26. The Royal List’s Maria has found quite a few during her lunch breaks at work. This map will help you!
