Why Prince William Probably Won’t Be at Wimbledon With Kate Middleton if She Makes an Appearance
Questions about Kate Middleton going to Wimbledon continue. Will she go as the tournament moves toward the finals? Will Prince William join her? Kensington Palace hasn’t provided answers to either of those questions. An insider, however, thinks the Princess of Wales, who made her first public appearance of the year at Trooping the Colour, won’t be joined by her husband if she ends up going. The reason, they claim, is because the tennis tournament is a “Kate thing.”
Wimbledon is a ‘Kate thing’
After Kate made her first post-cancer diagnosis appearance at King Charles III’s birthday parade on June 15, 2024, speculation quickly arose about when the public would see her again. That’s where Wimbledon comes in.
Held annually in London, England, Wimbledon’s typically a fixture on Kate’s calendar as she’s patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which hosts the tournament.
If she attends—it’s still a big if as Kate takes each day as it comes—William, a source told UsWeekly, probably won’t be at his wife’s side.
“It’s not yet decided, and they’ll wait to see if she’s feeling up to it,” they said. “But she wouldn’t go with William. Wimbledon is just a Kate thing.”
Yes, Wimbledon is a “Kate thing.” Sometimes, she’s there a number of times throughout the tournament. (Kate made three Wimbledon appearances in 2023.) But that doesn’t mean she’s never sat in the royal box at Center Court with William.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been courtside together multiple times over the years, occasionally with Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 9, in tow.
William may have another sporting event to attend during the Wimbledon finals
This year, there’s a chance William won’t join Kate if she does find herself at the famed tennis tournament. Why? Because of a scheduling conflict. The Wimbledon finals overlap with the EURO soccer finals.
William, who is a big fan and the president of the Football Association, may travel to Berlin, Germany, if Team England wins the semi-final on July 10, 2024, and progresses to the final on July 14, 2024.
That means, if England wins and Kate goes to Wimbledon, she could find herself handing out trophies over the weekend while William cheers on Team England in Germany.
A contingency plan is in the works if Kate doesn’t go to Wimbledon
As it gets closer and closer to the trophy ceremony, Wimbledon officials have reportedly gotten started on a contingency plan if Kate can’t make it. Per Tatler, there will be a British royal there to hand out trophies, even if it’s not the Princess of Wales.
“Bosses have earmarked the Duchess of Gloucester as a likely candidate to present the Wimbledon trophies if the Princess is unavailable,” the outlet wrote.
“As discussions continue amidst Kate’s absence, it is understood that informal discussions with the Duchess of Gloucester as a potential replacement have begun.”
Debbie Jevans, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, previously expressed her hope that Kate would attend the tournament.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans told Telegraph Sport. “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.”
Since then, a Wimbledon spokesperson said a “decision had yet to be made,” and that whoever presents the trophies will “be confirmed on the morning of each final.”
That means it won’t be until July 13, 2024, when the tournament’s executives will know whether or not Kate will be there.
The Wimbledon finals are on July 13, 2024, (Women’s Singles) and July 14, 2024, (Men’s Singles) in London.
