Kate Middleton presents Wimbledon trophy to Carlos Alcaraz

By Bridie Pearson-jones For Mailonline

16:52 14 Jul 2024, updated 19:18 14 Jul 2024

The Princess of Wales presented the Wimbledon trophy to Carlos Alcaraz this afternoon as the Spaniard won the Grand Slam for a second year in a row.

Kate, 42, who has stepped away from public royal duties while undergoing cancer treatment, saw the Spanish reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz take on veteran Novak Djokovic, winning in three sets. 

Before passing the trophy to Alcaraz, Kate commiserated and shook the hand of runner-up Novak Djokovic. 

Dressed in a £1295 bespoke dress from Safiyaa, the royal was greeted with a standing ovation as she headed into the Royal Box at Wimbledon earlier in the day.

With Princess Charlotte and sister Pippa by her side, the royal enjoyed a tense rematch of last year’s championship match on the grass of the All England Club – with Princess Charlotte showed off many expressive looks. 

Before the mother-daughter duo took their seats in the Royal Box, they met with female tennis stars, including 21-year-old Emma Radacanu, who all presented Kate with a bouquet of flowers.

Charlotte grinned from ear to ear as she met with the tennis star, who sadly saw her Wimbledon dream crushed on Centre Court by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun last week.

Kate and Charlotte were also greeted by Sonay Kartal, Lily Miyazaki, Lucy Shuker and Flora Johnson as they arrived on the players’ lawn at Wimbledon before entering Centre Court.

Charlotte gave wheelchair tennis player Shuker a ‘pinky promise’ that she would try the sport alongside her mother.

Kate was also introduced to Raducanu, who was knocked out in the fourth round of this year’s championships, telling her: ‘It was so hard to see you go out.’

US Open winner Raducanu said it was ‘amazing’ to have the support of the princess and ‘see her here looking so healthy and happy’.

The daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who sported a £70 Polka Dot dress from Guess, was thrilled to meet the tennis star, and was photographed smiling ear to ear in her presence.

The mother and daughter then met the ‘Work at Wimbledon’ programme which supports young people from a range of backgrounds with roles at the Championships.

Alcaraz now has four Grand Slam trophies with a perfect record in major finals, after his two Wimbledon triumphs, his U.S. Open victory in 2022 and his French Open win last month.  Defeat denied Djokovic a 25th Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court in the all-time list and also equal Roger Federer‘s haul of eight men’s singles titles at Wimbledon

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 They were without Prince George, ten, perhaps indicating he will join his father at the Euros final in Berlin this evening.

While meeting the players, Kate said Charlotte, who was wearing a navy polka dot dress, had been ‘practising yesterday’ and that tennis was ‘really great for the youngsters’.

Kate said she had been ‘filling in the leaderboard’ with Charlotte during Wimbledon, adding: ‘As a family, we play a lot.’

After being asked to try wheelchair tennis by Shuker, Kate said: ‘I’ve tried wheelchair rugby before, but not tennis. You’ll have to hold me to that.’

Shuker, the highest ranked British wheelchair women’s tennis player, told the PA news agency: ‘She was just saying how amazing it’s been to watch and follow everyone’s career.

‘Alfie Hewett won the men’s wheelchair tennis earlier. I just asked if they were playing tennis themselves, which they have been, and then said: ‘Have you tried wheelchair tennis?’

‘And I got a little pinky promise from Princess Charlotte that she would try it.’

Shuker added: ‘For me, it’s incredibly humbling to be here and to be asked to meet the princess today.’

Discussing her meeting with Kate, Raducanu told PA: ‘It was very nice to see Her Royal Highness again. I’ve met her twice before, and it was really nice to meet Charlotte as well, because I hadn’t before.

‘It’s amazing to see her be such a champion of tennis and following all of us.

‘We just spoke a little bit about my tournament, and the tennis, and also how I missed last year but I was very excited to come back this year. And a little bit about her tennis because she loves it.’

Asked about Kate’s appearance at the tournament following her diagnosis, Raducanu said: ‘I think it just shows her resilience and how much of a role model she is and it’s amazing to see her here looking so healthy and happy.’

Kate has been undergoing chemotherapy and made her first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March at the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London last month.

She did not attend the women’s singles final on Saturday, and Wimbledon chairwoman Debbie Jevans presented the trophy to Barbora Krejcikova on her behalf.

During their meeting on Sunday, Krejcikova gifted the Princess of Wales the racket she used during her victory.

Actors Tom Cruise, Zendaya and Hugh Jackman were among the celebrities attending Centre Court as Czech player Krejcikova fought off Italian Jasmine Paolini to claim a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory

Also in the box were A-listers Julia Roberts and Tom Cruise – a close friend of the royals – as well as Benedict Cumberbatch – an Eton classmate of Prince William –  London Mayor Sadiq Khan and tennis royalty Andre Agassi.

Prince William’s second cousin Lord Frederick Windsor, and his wife Sophie Winkleman also joined Kate and Charlotte in the box. The couple are close with the Wales’, with their children previously attending the same school and Charlotte and George. 

Frederick’s parents – Prince and Princess Michael of Kent – were also in attedance. 

The royal, who opted for a £1295 bespoke dress from Safiyaa,  is a huge tennis fan and has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club since 2016.

Looking effortlessly chic, the royal added a £122 Milly Nude leather bag from LK Bennett, which she has worn before.

Boosting her height, Kate added rewore a pair of Camilla Elphickslingback pimps, while accessorising with Halycon Days Salamander Torque Aquamarine & Gold Bangle.

She was seen today chatting to female players ahead of the final day of play at SW19.  

She often presents the trophy to the Ladies Singles winner, however this year attended the tournament on the final day instead.

Charlotte, nine, looked adorable in a blue polka number, as she tied her hair back with a bow.  

Her attendance at Wimbledon today marks the first time the mother-of-three has officially appeared in public since her last outing at Trooping the Colour last month.

Many A-listers and members of the Royal Family have made appearances in the Royal Box over the years, including the late Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle and Queen Camilla. 

This year, Kate’s parents Carole and Michael have watched on from the box, as well as Queen Camilla, Princess Beatrice and  

The Princess of Wales announced that she had cancer in March and has since being undergoing preventative chemotherapy. 

Kate has shown her love for sports time and time again with numerous appearances at Wimbledon and various charity events. 

Earlier this week, the Princess paid tribute to Andy Murray‘s ‘incredible Wimbledon career’ as the tennis star is said to be ‘absolutely devastated’ after Emma Raducanu pulled out of their doubles match.

The 37-year-old Scotsman had intended to play his last matches at the tournament with Raducanu in a celebratory climax to his stunning career, but the 21-year-old withdrew last week citing ‘stiffness in her wrist’.  

Kate took to social media and penned: ‘An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud Andy Murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C,’ Kate said in personally-signed message on X.

The only son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, opted for a classic British summer look in white trousers and black blazer with a pink tie.

Perhaps taking inspiration from his second cousin King Charles, Frederick wore a pinstriped shirt pairing the look together with navy suede loafers.

Meanwhile, Peep show actress Sophie – who is the sister of TV presenter Claudia Winkleman –  looked radiant in a yellow belted dress.

The £770 Edie Lemon dress comes from British designer Beulah London – a favourite brand of the Princess of Wales. 

Sophie added the £450 Henely Raffia Tote from Aspinal of London as she got set for a day of tennis.

The royal couple will watch see Spaniard  Carlos Alcaraz take on Novak Djokovic in the Grand Slam final, with both parties hoping to add some silverware to their trophy cabinet. 

The couple, who married in 2009, looked to be in great spirits as they posed for photos with their arms around one another. 

Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton also attended this week, making her first appearance since her sister the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis on Friday.

Looking effortlessly elegant in a stylish floral jumpsuit from Claire Mischevani, she attended day 12 of Wimbledon on Friday.

Elsewhere, Pippa and Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton appeared in good spirits as they enjoyed watching the action from the Royal Box last week.

The couple also appeared very focused as they took in the second round match between Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.

Both also laughed as they chatted with other attendees, including Sebastian Coe, the President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, who was seen sharing a giggle with an animated Carole.

Dressed in all their finery, the beaming couple looked in good spirits as they arrived side-by-side for the prestigious event in London.

It follows their cheerful appearance at Royal Ascot last month, when they joined members of the Royal Family, including their son-in-law Prince William, at the lavish occasion.

Today, the biggest names in showbiz were also on centre court. 

Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts was joined by Tom Cruise, Zendaya and Courteney Cox as Novak Djokovic took on reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a re-run of last year’s thrilling five-set clash. 

Taking to her seat in the Royal Box, Hollywood veteran Roberts, 56, looked appropriately stylish in a white Gucci minidress and heavily tinted sunglasses ahead of the sporting showpiece. 

Comparative newcomers Zendaya, 27, caught the eye in a smart white trouser-suit and pinstripe shirt, teamed with a loosely knotted navy tie. 

Joining the party, Tom Cruise took a break from the set of his new Mission: Impossible film to attend the south-west London venue. 

The evergreen actor, 62, sported a maroon blazer and Aviator sunglasses while chatting to a friend after taking to his seat in the Royal Box.  

Benedict Cumberbatch wore a blue suit while wife Sophie Hunter stunned in an eye-catching yellow dress as they arrived hand-in-hand.Meanwhile, Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton were dressed in Ralph Lauren as they made a rare public appearance together on day 14 of the competition. 

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, 71, looked dapper in a navy suit and tie, while completing the look with shiny brown shoes and shades. 

Meanwhile, Andrew Garfield, 40, looked smart in a navy jacket and orange shirt, teamed with cream trousers.

Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaid enjoyed the spectacle of the Wimbledon Men’s Final.

The Friends star, 60, cosied up to the Snow Patrol rocker, 47, as they arrived hand in hand at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in London.

The US actress, who lives with Johnny in London, looked chic in grey trousers teamed with a black shirt and heels.

Johnny matched her look with his own monochrome ensemble, sweetly putting his arm around his smiling girlfriend as they posed for photos before taking their seats.

Vernon Kay appeared in high spirits as he attended alongside his glamorous daughter Phoebe.