Kate Middleton, the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club who has attended Wimbledon almost every year since 2011, left her followers waiting for her appearance on the first day of the tennis tournament. The social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales also remained silent as Wimbledon began on Monday, leaving tennis fans saddened by the lack of a message from Kate.
No members of the royal family attended the first day of the event, an already difficult year for the King and the royal family. Instead, other celebrities stole the spotlight. David Beckham and David Attenborough turned the cameras on themselves, and seemed to be in high spirits along with other elite personalities.
Wimbledon officials have admitted they “don’t know” who will present the trophies at this year’s tennis tournament, however they will give Kate as much “flexibility as possible” while she continues her treatment. “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,” Jevans said. Sports Telegraph.
Princess Kate’s absence was deeply felt by her fans, who were eagerly awaiting a surprise appearance. However, she did not attend the event because she is undergoing chemotherapy.
Royal expert Emily Andrews speculated that Kate could appear at Wimbledon this month. Other royal commentators believe she could attend the final to present the trophy. Young royals including Lady Louise Windsor, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are expected to fill the royal box in her absence.
The absence of Kate Middleton, a much-loved figure at Wimbledon, underlines the impact her current health struggle is having on her public engagements. Her fans remain hopeful that she will return to the tournament, either later this month or in the final.