The Princess of Wales could attend Wimbledon this year after officials said they were “hopeful” she would present trophies to the champions.
All England Club president Debbie Jevans said they would give Kate “as much flexibility as possible” as she continues her cancer treatment, including postponing the search for a replacement.
The princess, who is a keen player, has been a patron of the AELTC since 2016.
He traditionally presents the trophies each year, as well as attending several matches during the tournament.
He is currently not on official duties due to his ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment, after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
Kate Middleton with Princess Charlotte at Wimbledon in 2023. The Princess of Wales could attend Wimbledon this year after officials said they were “hopeful” she would present trophies to the champions.
Kate presents Carlos Alcaraz of Spain with the winner’s trophy after the men’s singles final match on Center Court
Kate attends day two of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2019. Kensington Palace aides have not confirmed any future engagements and stressed that, as the princess herself said, she has “good days and not so good days”.
The Princess of Wales chats with Gill Brook, the wife of Philip Brook, the then president of the All England Club, during a quarter-final match at Wimbledon in 2012.
However, she attended Trooping the Color two weeks ago and in a statement said that while she was not ready to return to work full-time, she hoped to participate in “some public engagements over the summer.”
Kensington Palace has said it will not confirm anything until much closer to the time because of the uncertainty surrounding her treatment.
Commenting on this year’s world-famous championships, which begin on Monday, Telegraph Sport quoted Jevans as saying: “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 is the priority. We don’t know what we don’t know. All we have said is that we will work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
“I don’t know who would hand out the trophies as an alternative; that’s something that would have to be considered closer to the time if it were necessary. We will remain flexible. “When we find out, we will think about what is the right thing to do.”
Kensington Palace advisers do not confirm any future commitment and stressed that, as the princess herself said, she has “good days and not so good days.” A source added: “Anything done at the moment is speculative.”
In a personally written message earlier this month, the princess candidly admitted that her progress was good, but that she is “not out of the woods yet.”
‘As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. My treatment continues and will last a few more months… I hope to participate in some public events over the summer, but I also know that I am not out of the woods yet.
Kate presenting the Gentlemen’s Singles trophy at Wimbledon last year. She traditionally presents the trophies each year, in addition to attending several matches during the tournament.
Kate joined the rest of the Royal Family on the balcony during Trooping of the Colors earlier this month. In a statement, she said that while she was not ready to return to work full-time, she hoped to join “some public engagements over the summer.”
‘I’m learning to be patient, especially in the face of uncertainty.’
The presentation of the royal trophy is considered a very important tradition at Wimbledon and having the Princess present would be a great achievement for the AELTC.
Although the club has not formalized alternative plans for the presentation of the trophy, its options would include another member of the Royal Family or even Jevans herself, as president of the club and former Wimbledon player.
Ten royals have presented Wimbledon trophies since Prince George, later King George V, became the club’s first president in 1907.
The then Duchess of Cambridge took on the role of patron to Queen Elizabeth II, who served from 1952 to 2016 and presented the trophies on several occasions.