Wimbledon 'hopeful' Kate, Princess of Wales could present trophies after return to public life
The Princess of Wales could present the trophies for the men’s and women’s singles champions at Wimbledon, the tennis tournament has said.
Organisers remain hopeful Kate could return to the Royal Box after she was seen in public for the first time since her cancer diagnosis, at the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport they will give Kate “as much flexibility as possible” as she continues her treatment and may decide who will present the trophies on the morning of the finals.
She said: “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.
“I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative - that’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary. We’re staying flexible. When we hear, we'll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”
Former Wimbledon Champion Roger Federer interacts with Kate (Getty Images)
Thousands of tennis fans will queue through the night to get tickets to Britain’s most loved tennis tournament next week.
Kate became patron of the All England Club in 2016, taking over from Queen Elizabeth II, and is often spotted with her family in the Royal Box, sat with the likes of Roger Federer and Daniel Craig.
At a media briefing last week, Ms Jevans explained that the club’s priority was that “our Patron has the time to recover and we're certainly not going to add any additional pressure on her recovery by speculating on her attendance at this year's Championships".
Royal sources have indicated that Kate would like to attend Wimbledon if possible, according to the Telegraph.
Options to replace the Princess of Wales include another member of the Royal Family or Ms Jevans as chair of the club and a former Wimbledon player.
Kate looked relaxed during her first day in the spotlight following her cancer diagnosis at the traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony earlier this month, where her youngest child Prince Louis stole the show again.
Louis was pictured yawning, trying to open a window and dancing to the military music as the princess and her young family watched the pomp and pageantry in Horse Guards Parade in honour of the King.
After months of chemotherapy, which is still ongoing, the princess joined what is a family occasion on the national stage but kept a watchful eye on her children.
Her appearance was in doubt after she missed the final Trooping rehearsal last weekend, but with the King also suffering from cancer the spectacle of military pomp and pageantry became a symbolic statement by the monarchy after a period of uncertainty.
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