After being cancelled last year, Wimbledon has returned for 2021, and tennis fans are rejoicing. Amongst those fans is The Duchess of Cambridge who, yesterday, made her first visit to the tournament this year, on the fifth day of the Championship. She spent time with The Duke of Kent, watching a match on centre court.
The Duchess, as well as being a huge tennis fan, is also patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The Club conducts the Championships every year and was first created in July 1868.
Catherine became patron in 2016, taking over the role from The Queen; The Duke of Kent is President of the Club.
The sun shone as a smartly-dressed Catherine arrived at Wimbledon for day five of the two-week evemt. A crowd of masked tennis fans gathered to watch the arrival and the Duchess delighted one lady as she stopped to briefly speak with her before making her way to court 14.
The Royal sat in the back row at court 14 with Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and former tennis player Tim Henman.
The trio were there to watch Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares play Nicholas Monroe and Vasek Pospisil in a men’s doubles first-round match. Murray and Soares won the match in two sets but Catherine did not stay for the whole game.
Instead, the Duchess popped by the kitchens and put an apron on as she helped executive chef Adam Fargin prepare that famous Wimbledon staple: strawberries and cream.
While putting her culinary skills to the Wimbledon test, Kate also learned about how the kitchens at Wimbledon were used to make 200 hot meals for the local community every day during lockdown.
It was then on to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum for a tour of the exhibits, telling the long history of Wimbledon and the Club.
The Museum was opened in 1977 by The Duke of Kent and this year, for the first time, is free to enter for all those who have tickets to the Championships. Catherine saw a portrait of British tennis ace, Andy Murray, and got stuck in to some interactive exhibits, as well as viewing a special exhibit on the Centenary of Centre Court.
Inside the #Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, opened by The Duke of Kent in 1977 pic.twitter.com/g2leYdqqiL
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 2, 2021
Speaking of, Catherine finished of the day on the famous Centre Court. Seated at the front of the Royal Box, the Duchess was seen enjoying the stellar action.
Kate was also spotted conversing with ‘Body Coach’ Joe Wicks, who was seated behind. Catherine was not the only Royal present in the box, as she joined The Duke of Kent; the two were deep in conversation while watching the game.
The Duchess of Cambridge with The Duke of Kent in the royal box on day five of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships
No doubt Catherine and Prince Edward were delighted to be back at one of their favourite places today, and we will see more Royals again before the Championships end!
