Royal fans have expressed hopes that the Princess of Wales could make an emotional appearance at the Wimbledon Championships this weekend.
Kensington Palace officials are believed to be waiting until the last minute to make a final decision on whether Kate can attend the All England Club in London.
And the Duchess of Gloucester has been tipped as a possible replacement to present the trophies if the princess is unavailable amid her cancer treatment.
Wimbledon officials have already said they are trying to give Kate “as much flexibility as possible” ahead of Saturday’s women’s singles final and Sunday’s men’s singles final.
And now fans have taken to social media to express how much they are looking forward to seeing the Princess, who is the patron of Wimbledon, in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Any appearance would be only Kate’s second official public event in seven months since last Christmas, after she also attended Trooping the Colour on June 15.
16 July 2023 – The Princess of Wales presents the trophy to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz after winning the Wimbledon men’s singles final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.
July 16, 2023: Prince William, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte speak to ball kids at the All England Club during the Wimbledon Championships.
July 15, 2023: Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic receives the trophy from the Princess of Wales after winning her women’s singles final against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.
Among those hoping to see her is Lee Hood, who tweeted: “It would be wonderful if Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales, could attend the men’s and women’s finals at this year’s Wimbledon Championships.” He added: “Get well soon Catherine.”
Another story read: “Wimbledon just isn’t the same without Kate.”
A third added: “I hope the Princess of Wales attends Wimbledon this year, if she’s feeling well.”
And a fourth tweet: “I hope the Princess of Wales can attend and fulfil her role as Patron. I wish Catherine all the best.”
Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton were photographed in the royal box at Wimbledon last Thursday, with Carole seen speaking to Lord Sebastian Coe.
And last Saturday, Kate paid tribute to Sir Andy Murray, saying he should be “very proud” after missing a match of the final at Wimbledon.
The Scot was scheduled to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu that evening, but the former US Open champion withdrew from the clash earlier in the day, citing stiffness in her right wrist.
In a personally signed message on social media, Kate wrote: “An incredible run at #Wimbledon comes to an end. You should be so proud @andy_murray. On behalf of us all, thank you! C.”
Kate replaced Queen Elizabeth II as patron of the All England Club in 2016 and has regularly presented trophies on Centre Court.
But she has made only one public appearance so far this year at Trooping the Colour just over three weeks ago, following her announcement in March that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for the cancer, which was detected after major abdominal surgery in January.
Kensington Palace has not confirmed any future engagements for the Princess as she continues her recovery, and her surprise attendance at Trooping the Colour was only announced last night.
July 6, 2024: Kate paid tribute to Sir Andy Murray, saying he should be “very proud” after missing a final match at Wimbledon.
July 4, 2024: Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton in the royal box for the Wimbledon Championships last week alongside All England Club president Debbie Jevans (right).
July 3, 2024: The Duchess of Gloucester in the Royal Box at the All England Club last week.
The Duchess of Gloucester has now emerged as Kate’s most likely replacement if she is unable to attend the tennis final, according to the Daily Telegraph.
A Wimbledon spokesman told the paper that no decision had yet been made and would be confirmed on the morning of each final.
The Danish-born duchess, who was Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen before she married Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester in 1972, is a keen tennis fan and this would allow Wimbledon to continue its royal tradition.
Around 10 royals have presented the trophies since King George V (then Prince George) became the club’s first president in 1907.
The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, has been honorary president of the Lawn Tennis Association for 25 years and was invited to Wimbledon last week by the All England Club.
July 6, 2024 – Prince William reacts as he watches England take on Switzerland in Dusseldorf in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals last Saturday, which he attended without Kate or their children.
June 15, 2024: Kate has attended just one public event so far this year, Trooping the Colour.
Two weeks ago, All England Club president Debbie Jevans told the Telegraph: “We are hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as patron of the Club, but her health and recovery are the priority.
“We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
“I don’t know who would hand out the trophies as an alternative, it’s something that will have to be considered later if it’s necessary. We will be flexible. When we have news, we will think about what is the right thing to do.”
In another complication, Sunday’s Wimbledon final would clash with the Euro 2024 final.
England’s men’s football team is one match away from reaching the final, and Kate’s husband Prince William, as president of the Football Association, would likely be in Berlin to watch.
William was seen passionately celebrating England’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
He could even attend the final if the Three Lions are beaten by the Netherlands in tomorrow’s semi-final, which kicks off at 8pm.
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