Singer Natalie Rushdie has opened up about what it’s really like to be invited to sit in the Royal Box at Wimbledon and meet the Princess of Wales.
The 37-year-old Scottish jazz singer, who is married to Salman Rushdie’s son, was one of the lucky few guests to score one of the most coveted seats in the 2023 tournament.
Many celebrities and members of the Royal Family have made appearances in the exclusive area over the years, including the late Queen Elizabeth, Meghan Markle, Pippa Middleton and Queen Camilla.
Natalie is a friend of the late cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, also known as the Bowel Babe, who died aged 40 in June 2022.
He was asked to perform a version of Deborah’s single, Tell Me It’s Not True, at her funeral and released the song as a charity single for the activist’s charity.
Natalie Rushdie said Kate was “so beautiful” in real life, adding that she “said hello to everyone.” Above: The couple chat in the royal box
Natalie said Royal Box guests are allowed to take photos before other people arrive.
The singer gained support from Prince William, who backed the release and wished Natalie “all the best for the release of her single” at the time.
She spoke with Hello about the experience and treatment received by those in the Royal Box that day, as well as rubbing shoulders with Kate Middleton, Swiss tennis player Roger Federer and Prince Michael of Kent, cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Natalie said guests are invited to a seated lunch before the tennis matches begin and that Kate and Roger were the last people to enter, adding that the room “went silent” when they arrived.
“She’s so beautiful in real life… Calm, so refined. She came in and greeted everyone,” he told the outlet.
Natalie said the lavish lunch is an impressive spread of hot and cold dishes consisting of luxury meats and seafood such as halibut, Galloway beef and Cornish lobster tail.
Guests are then served a typically British dessert of strawberries and cream, along with a choice of peach cobbler and a selection of cheeses.
Natalie later got the chance to express her gratitude to Kate, at which point she thanked both her and William for supporting the charity song.
Speaking about the moment, he added: ‘We were talking about the single and she asked me how it was going and how it came about.
“There’s a flash when she walks into the room. Everyone is genuinely in awe of her.
“He’s very friendly, takes the time to talk to everyone and makes everyone feel very comfortable.”
Kate traditionally presents the trophies each year, as well as attending several matches during the tournament.
Natalie said guests are invited to a seated lunch before the tennis matches begin and Kate and Roger (pictured) were the last people to enter, adding that the room “went silent” when they arrived.
Natalie shared snaps of her Wimbledon experience on Instagram, including the luxurious dining experience.
Natalie (pictured with Dame Deborah at Royal Ascot in 2022) was a close friend of the cancer campaigner.
But he is currently not on official duty due to his ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment, after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
It is currently unknown whether Kate will attend Wimbledon this year, but All England Club president Debbie Jevans said they would give Kate “as much flexibility as possible”.
Natalie then went to afternoon tea and was invited to sit with Prince Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella and her late husband, Thomas Kingston, as they are “friends.”
It was Prince Michael’s birthday at the time, so coffee cakes were served especially for the group to celebrate.
They talked about the different musical events that Prince Michael attended during his younger years.
Natalie also divulged information about how the day is structured and the benefits of being invited to the Royal Box.
He said they had to go through a separate entrance, go under the car park and then drive to Wimbledon.
She said she then drives to an elevator and then goes up inside the royal box. “It’s absolutely beautiful,” she added.
Upon arrival, guests will be treated to ‘special Wimbledon chocolates’ with their coffee and a photograph.
Natalie said staff told her they would take photos of her in the first three sets and she could take them with her.
According to Wimbledon’s official website: ‘The Royal Box has been used for the entertainment of friends and guests of Wimbledon since 1922.
‘British and foreign royal families are invited, as well as heads of government, tennis personalities, business partners, the British armed forces, major media organisations, British tennis fans and other sections of society.’