Royal fans have voiced their hopes that the Princess of Wales could make an emotional appearance at the Wimbledon Championships this weekend.
Kensington Palace officials are thought 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 lined up 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 the women’s singles final on Saturday and men’s on Sunday.
And fans have now taken to social media to say how much they are hoping to see the Princess, who is the patron of Wimbledon, in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Any appearance would only be Kate’s second official public event in seven months since last Christmas, after she was also at Trooping the Colour on June 15.
July 16, 2023 — The Princess of Wales presents Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz with the trophy after he won the Wimbledon men’s single’s final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic
July 16, 2023 — Prince William, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte speak to ball boys and girls at the All England Club for the Wimbledon Championships
July 15, 2023 — Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova receives the trophy from the Princess of Wales after winning her women’s singles final match against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur
Among those hoping to see her is Lee Hood who tweeted: ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely if Princess Catherine the Princess of Wales was able to attend the men’s and women’s final at this year’s Wimbledon Championships.’ He added: ‘Get well soon, Catherine.’
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Another account said: ‘Wimbledon is not the same without Kate being there.’
A third added: ‘I do hope the Princess of Wales will attend Wimbledon this year, if she feels well.’
And a fourth tweeted: ‘I hope the Princess of Wales is able to attend and fulfil her role as Patron. Wishing Catherine all the best.’
Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton were pictured in the Royal Box at Wimbledon last Thursday, with Carole seen speaking with Lord Sebastian Coe.
And last Saturday, Kate paid tribute to Sir Andy Murray, saying he should be ‘so very proud’, after he missed out on a final match at Wimbledon.
The Scot was due to play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu that evening but the former US Open champion pulled out of the clash earlier in the day, citing stiffness in her right wrist.
In a personally-signed message on social media, Kate wrote: ‘An incredible #Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andy_murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C.’
Kate took over from Queen Elizabeth II as patron of the All England Club in 2016, and has regularly presented the 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 is having preventative chemotherapy for cancer – which was found after major abdominal surgery in January.
Kensington Palace has not confirmed any future engagements for the Princess while she continues her recovery, and her surprise attendance at the Trooping the Colour was only announced the evening before.
July 6, 2024 — Kate paid tribute to Sir Andy Murray, saying he should be ‘so very proud’, after he missed out on 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 chair 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 the most likely replacement for Kate should she not be able to attend the tennis finals, according to the Daily Telegraph.
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A Wimbledon spokesman told the newspaper that a decision had not been made yet and that it would be confirmed on the morning of each final.
The Danish-born Duchess, who was Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen before marrying Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester in 1972, is a huge tennis fan and it would enable Wimbledon to continue their royal tradition.
Some 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 an 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 while watching England against Switzerland in Dusseldorf in the Euro 2024 quarter final last Saturday, which he attended without Kate or his children
June 15, 2024 — Kate has attended just one public event so far this year, at Trooping the Colour
Two weeks ago, the All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told the Telegraph: ‘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.
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‘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 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.’
In another complication, the Wimbledon final on Sunday would clash with the Euro 2024 final.
England’s men’s football team are one game away from reaching the final – and Kate’s husband Prince William, as president of the Football Association, would likely be in Berlin for it.
William was seen passionately celebrating England’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
He may even attend the final if the Three Lions are beaten by Netherlands in the semi-final tomorrow, which kicks off at 8pm.
