Sunday, December 22, 2024

Princess Kate beams as she hands trophy to Wimbledon winner

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PRINCESS Kate beamed as she presented trophies to Wimbledon players after an intense Grand Slam.

Kate Middleton, 42, handed champion Carlos Alcaraz, 21, his golden cup as he retained his Wimbledon title against rival Novak Djokovic.

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Princess Kate beamed as she presented trophies to Wimbledon players after an intense Grand SlamCredit: Rex
She presented Djokovic, 37, his runner-up trophy after a nail-biting clash

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She presented Djokovic, 37, his runner-up trophy after a nail-biting clashCredit: Reuters
The Princess also walked through a line of ball boys and ball girls, stopping to talk to them, before awarding the trophies

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The Princess also walked through a line of ball boys and ball girls, stopping to talk to them, before awarding the trophiesCredit: Reuters
Kate was greeted with a standing ovation

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Kate was greeted with a standing ovationCredit: i-Images
At one tense moment Charlotte seemed concerned

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At one tense moment Charlotte seemed concernedCredit: Getty
Another of Charlotte's funny expressions

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Another of Charlotte’s funny expressionsCredit: Getty

The royal handed Chair umpire James Keothavong his award first.

She then presented Djokovic, 37, his runner-up trophy after a nail-biting clash with Alcaraz – who became the ninth man to retain his Wimbledon title in the Open era.

Djokovic was the last player to do so, crowned victorious in both 2021 and 2022.

The Princess also walked through a line of ball boys and ball girls, stopping to talk to them, before awarding the trophies.

Read More on Kate Middleton

It marks her second public appearance of the year amid ongoing cancer treatment.

Kate said she was “glad to be back” at Wimbledon today as the royal was greeted with a standing ovation and roaring crowds.

The royal stunned in a custom purple Safiyaa Cecilia dress and wore her hair in loose curls, while pairing the elegant outfit with gold jewelry.

She also donned her signature small bow pin to celebrate the occasion.

Only those who are part of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), of which Kate is patron, can wear the pin.

It features the private club’s colours, “Wimbledon purple” and “Wimbledon green”.

Princess Kate set to be at Wimbledon final

The mum-of-three was snapped laughing with daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, as the pair took their seats.

The young royal stepped out in a navy and white polka-dot dress, complimented by a blue bow hair accessory.

Pippa Middleton also stunned in a floral dress as she joined her sister and niece.

The Princess of Wales shared a message to mark her appearance and support on her and Wills’ official X/Twitter platform.

“Great to be back at @Wimbledon!,” it read.

“There’s nothing quite like The Championships.”

The royal pair beamed as they settled in to watch the final

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The royal pair beamed as they settled in to watch the finalCredit: Rex
The Princess of Wales took her seat alongside daughter Charlotte

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The Princess of Wales took her seat alongside daughter CharlotteCredit: Getty
It marks her second public appearance of the year amid ongoing cancer treatment

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It marks her second public appearance of the year amid ongoing cancer treatmentCredit: Getty
Pippa Middleton also arrived to take her seat alongside the Princess

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Pippa Middleton also arrived to take her seat alongside the PrincessCredit: Reuters

Before taking her seats, Princess Charlotte couldn’t stop smiling as she met with Emma Radacanu.

The 21-year-old tennis pro also gifted Princess Kate with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

It is the mum-of-three’s first public appearance since she attended Trooping the Colour for King Charles‘ birthday last month.

In June, the Princess was seen beaming as she stood side by side with the Monarch on Buckingham Palace’s balcony.

It was the first time Princess Kate had attended a royal event since she and Charles were diagnosed with cancer.

Adoring fans erupted as the Royals stepped out for the monarch’s birthday in Kate’s first public appearance since Christmas.

The day had been plagued by rain but downpours couldn’t dampen Kate’s shine as she beamed alongside Prince William and their kids.

Fans watched on in awe as the Princess joked and laughed with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis.

Her appearance at Trooping the Colour came after she issued an update on her health battle.

In a personal statement, Kate said: “I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last
couple of months.

‘DETERMINED KATE’

Royal expert Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “It was a long held promise that Kate would take Charlotte to the finals as a special treat.

“Kate felt guilty she hadn’t been able to spend as much time as she would have liked to be with the kids because of her exhaustion after her treatment.

“Charlotte has always loved tennis and mum Kate took her to Hurlingham when she was quite young to play tennis there.

“Kate was taught by her dad Michael. William was taught by his mum
Diana and tennis is a big family thing on both sides.

“So it is a super special day for Kate to be able to share it with Charlotte and much more fun for her to have Charlotte there and explain to her the details of what is going on.

“It’s also a distraction so she does not feel she is full and centre of everyone’s attention. Charlotte is there to deflect things away from her too.

“Kate was determined to be at Wimbledon on finals day if she possibly could.

“She knew she probably wouldn’t make both days. But I feel certain we might well see George in Germany tonight with his dad.”

“It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.

“I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.

“On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to
your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

“My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.

“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.

“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.

“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”

Former royal butler Paul Burrell previously said it was “highly likely” Kate would make an appearance as she is a “huge tennis fan”.

Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, said: “Kate’s stunning and distinctive new Wimbledon statement look comprised a purple dress (paying tribute to the Wimbledon colours) – which is a first for the princess.

“She paired this rich and regal hue with large, statement yellow gold earrings, the perfect combination, and in contrast to some of the more dainty jewels she has sometimes worn at Wimbledon in the past.

“She teamed this with a couple of bold, yellow gold and aquamarine and topaz-set bangles, both of which she has worn separately to Wimbledon in previous years.

“While the Princess of Wales has returned to Wimbledon with a fresh look, it complements her past outfit and jewellery choices well.

“The combination of her green and gold look of 2023 and her purple and gold look of 2024 – both worn to the men’s tennis final match – also pay tribute to her position as the president of the AELTC.”

Meanwhile, Eddie LeVian, CEO of celebrity jewellery house Le Vian, added: “How wonderful to see Kate has chosen bold gold statement earrings.

“Kate’s statement earrings are larger and more confident than some of the more sleek and understated pieces she’s worn at Wimbledons past.

“Her yellow gold bangles are also significant in the way she is stacking them one with the other for a super elegant yet also nonchalant and bold style. Kate is back!”

Kate’s appearance at Wimbledon comes just a couple of days after Queen Camilla watched an epic quarter-final clash.

Camilla attended day ten of the Championships, where she met Olympic silver medalist Laura Robson and coach Jamie Delgado, who holds the men’s record for playing in 23 consecutive Wimbledons.

Camilla told Laura it was “so nice to be able to escape for a day”.

She also told Wimbledon’s head gardener Martyn Falconer: “It all looks fantastic. It always looks absolutely perfect.”

Other royals there included Peter Phillips and his girlfriend Harriet Sperling, and Zara Tindall and her husband Mike.

Before taking her seat, Princess Charlotte couldn't stop smiling as she met with Emma Radacanu

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Before taking her seat, Princess Charlotte couldn’t stop smiling as she met with Emma RadacanuCredit: PA
The Princess of Wales donned her traditional purple-and-green bow

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The Princess of Wales donned her traditional purple-and-green bowCredit: PA
It is Kate's first public appearance since she attended Trooping the Colour for King Charles' birthday last month

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It is Kate’s first public appearance since she attended Trooping the Colour for King Charles’ birthday last month
Kate is a big tennis fan, seen here handing the men's trophy to Carlos Alcaraz last year

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Kate is a big tennis fan, seen here handing the men’s trophy to Carlos Alcaraz last yearCredit: Getty
Crowds cheered as a beaming Kate was seen on the Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour celebrations

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Crowds cheered as a beaming Kate was seen on the Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour celebrationsCredit: The Mega Agency
Kate made an emotional message in March saying she was undergoing cancer treatment

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Kate made an emotional message in March saying she was undergoing cancer treatmentCredit: BBC
Kate was all smiles for the ladies' final at Wimbledon last year

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Kate was all smiles for the ladies’ final at Wimbledon last yearCredit: Sunday Times
The Princess of Wales regularly attends the Wimbledon Championship, seen here in 2017

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The Princess of Wales regularly attends the Wimbledon Championship, seen here in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor

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