Kate's mum mingles with 'secret crush' and King in Wimbledon Royal Box
The parents of the Princess of Wales mingled with the royals as they enjoyed a glamorous day out at Wimbledon. Carole and Michael Middleton took their seats in Centre Court's Royal Box today as they watched the championships' quarter finals action, including Novak Djokovic taking on Alex de Minaur.
Like their daughter, Kate's mum and dad are avid tennis fans and are regulars at SW19 - and are usually invited to sit in the Royal Box during one day of the tournament. And it seems they are in good company today, with a tennis superstar, who Kate once revealed her mum had a crush on, also joining them in the prestigious seats.
Roger Federer, who is known to be a family friend of the Middletons, and his wife Mirka, also took their seats in the Royal Box today.
Back in 2017 during a BBC documentary called Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon, Kate revealed the little-known fact about her mum and the 20- times Grand Slam champion, telling the show: "Roger [Federer] is my mother's heartthrob. I don't think she will mind me saying that! I think he probably knows that too."
Joining them in the Royal Box today was the Duchess of Edinburgh, who arrived at Wimbledon just hours after attending a solemn service at St Paul's Cathedral this morning to mark the 20th anniversary of the London 7/7 bombings.
After swapping her sombre black jacket for a white one, Sophie was seen chatting animatedly with King Frederik of Denmark. Also in the box was the Duchess of Gloucester, who is a patron of the Lawn Tennis Association.
Other notable names there today include comedians Sir Lenny Henry and Michael McIntyre as well as England cricketers Sir James Anderson and Joe Root. Broadcaster Gabby Logan was another famous face spotted at the grounds of the tournament on Monday.
Princess Kate, who attended the finals weekend of last year's championships, is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Last year, the Princess of Wales presented the Wimbledon men's final trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, in her second public engagement since she announced her cancer diagnosis. It has not been confirmed if she will visit the tournament yet this year. Tomorrow she will take part in the French state visit to the UK.
Meanwhile, British singles hopes at Wimbledon rest on Cameron Norrie after his gruelling five-set win followed Sonay Kartal's defeat on Sunday. He next faces defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.
Norrie, a semi-finalist in 2022, is only the third British man to reach the last eight more than once in the last 50 years, after Tim Henman and Sir Andy Murray.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
King Charles accused of 'slap in the face' by Princess Diana's personal aide
King Charles, monarch of the United Kingdom for nearly three years, welcomed French president Emmanuel Macron for a state visit this week, during which they had a banquet King Charles was accused of giving "a huge slap in the face" to the Buckingham Palace royal chefs - by enlisting French icon Raymond Blanc to help prepare this week's state banquet. The monarch is said to have wanted to honour French president Emmanuel Macron by inviting Mr Blanc to assist the palace's own team in preparing food for the function. The first element of Mr Macron's state visit included the lavish meal at Windsor Castle's impressive St George's Hall, which Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and showbiz stars also attended. But Darren McGrady, personal chef to the late Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry, said Charles' call to use Mr Blanc's support for the bash was unwise. He said: "I get that Raymond Blanc is one of the best chefs in the world, and I get that he is a King's Foundation ambassador, and I get that 'the collaboration is in the spirit of Entente Cordiale (a cordial agreement)' but it's a huge slap in the face to the palace royal chefs." When Buckingham Palace announced Mr Blanc's involvement in the state banquet, a spokesman said he was invited to help "create the first course and dessert". He has a long friendship with the monarch and has been guest speaker at several royal events over the years, including horticulrural festivals at Highgrove. But it is understood while Mr Blanc, who runs Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire, was asked to help with the main course, the celebrity cook left that part of the meal to Mark Flanagan, the Royal Household's head chef. Yet, speaking to Mail Online, furious Mr McGrady, 63, added: "For sure, Macron will not be bringing in British chefs for a King Charles state visit to France." Mr McGrady, who worked as the personal chef to Princess Diana and her children until her death in 1997, hit back at the praise Charles has received for the move. Some fans said it was a mark of respect to Mr Macron that King Charles called on Mr Blanc, born near Besançon, east France, to help with the culinary spectacular. It is believed dishes served on Tuesday had French inspiration or French twists. Dad-of-two Mr Blanc, who has restaurants in central London, Portsmouth, Bath, Leeds and other British places, said he wanted to include the Royal Household's head chef as mark of respect to the monarch. He told Mail Online: "He's a royal chef who's cooked for the King for many years, plus he's a great friend – it's all part of respect. "I could have done everything if I'd insisted, but Mark did a beautiful course – Rhug Estate chicken with British produce, with a beautiful tarragon sauce, a French way. It was a splendid occasion." Of McGrady's gripes, Mr Blanc added: "We all have an opinion – and I've got a different one. I like to bring people together." Despite the criticism from Mr McGrady, King Charles also received a great deal of praise for inviting his friend Mr Blanc to help with the glitzy function at Windsor Castle.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Djokovic survives Cobolli onslaught to reach record 14th Wimbledon semi-final
The siren call of a record 25th grand slam title grows ever louder for Novak Djokovic. But he was given a scare by the punchy young Italian Flavio Cobolli, as well as a nasty fall on match point, before coming through a pulsating quarter-final to win 6-7 (8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4. Djokovic's reward is a record 14th Wimbledon semi-final, one ahead of Roger Federer, and a meeting with the world No 1, Jannik Sinner, on Friday. It is a battle he is clearly relishing. 'It motivates me to see how much I can still keep going with these guys toe to toe,' he said. 'For me, this is what actually counts the most. Being in the last stages of grand slams and playing against the best player in the world right now. And Jannik and Carlos Alcaraz are the leaders of men's tennis today.' Djokovic hit 39 winners and made just 22 errors against Cobolli, and reached shots that would have flown past lesser opponents. But he admits that Sinner, and potentially Alcaraz in the final, will prove a far tougher physical test. 'I am pleased with the way I'm playing,' Djokovic said. 'Physically I hope that I'll be able to sustain that. That's more of a concern than game‑wise. I think game-wise the way I'm feeling the ball when I'm fit and ready, I feel like I can go toe to toe with those guys and even beat them if I'm playing my best.' Beforehand the tale of the tape was so overwhelmingly in Djokovic's favour that few gave Cobolli a shot. The Italian, after all, came into this match with a 1-11 record against the world's top 10. His career record on grass stood at a modest nine wins and six defeats. And he was up against the greatest of all time, the seven-time champion here, and someone who had thrashed him 6-1, 6-2 in their only meeting. But this was a different Cobolli, one determined to roll the dice and with the confidence to believe he could provide the biggest shock of Wimbledon this year. In the last 16, Alex de Minaur had tried to defeat Djokovic by mixing deft spins and devilish unpredictability, and using the swirling wind as his friend. Cobolli's approach was more blunt. He simply wanted to blast Djokovic off the court. It nearly worked, too. Djokovic said: 'He played at a really high level. And at some parts of the match he was just serving so good that I wasn't able to read or attack it.' Initially the Italian looked to be feeling the pressure of his first grand slam quarter-final. His first shot – a return of serve – scooted into the net. And his second was a mis-hit. But Cobolli was determined to hit himself out of trouble. Serves were thundered down at more than 130mph, forehands were struck flat and hard, and he kept digging himself out of potential potholes. It said everything about the Italian's game that even when down 5-3 in the first set, he broke back immediately and then took it on a tie‑break after a 137mph serve. Perhaps understandably, given this was his first time on Centre Court and he was playing his idol, Cobolli then had a wobble. From 2-1 up in the second set, he lost seven games in a row. In truth, it looked over. From nowhere, however, Cobolli's radar suddenly started working again. At 2-0 down in the third set he broke back and led 5-4 before nerves got the better of him. Still the Italian kept fighting. But at 4-4 and 30-30 in the fourth set, the tension became too much. A double-handed backhand went halfway up the net before a drop volley was fluffed. It left Djokovic serving for the match. But there was still time for more drama as, on the second match point, the Serb fell face first on to the grass after another Cobolli winner flashed past him and he appeared to hurt his hip. 'It was a nasty fall,' Djokovic said. 'It was very awkward. That happens on the grass. I've had quite a few of those throughout my grass court career. 'Obviously, my body is not the same today like it was before, so I guess the real impact of what happened I will feel tomorrow. So let's see. I'm hoping the next 24-48 hours that the severity is not too bad, that I'll be able to play at my best and be free of pain in two days.' After the fall it took him a while to get up. Yet two points later, his hands were pointing skyward in triumph. Djokovic continues to confound expectations. Against Sinner he will have to do so again.
Rhyl Journal
3 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool eye British men's doubles history at Wimbledon
Cash and Glasspool saved three match points against defending champions Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara to reach their first grand slam semi-final. Britain's Patten and Finn Heliovaara claimed an unexpected first major title last summer and then backed it up by winning the Australian Open, but they were edged out 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10/8) in a tense clash. Julian Cash & Lloyd Glasspool's incredible run continues!!! 🔥 They save three match points and beat the reigning champions to reach a first Grand Slam semi-final as a pair#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 9, 2025 Fifth seeds Cash and Glasspool have now won 12 successive matches, taking in tournament wins at Queen's and Eastbourne, and if they can win two more they will become the first all-British pair to win the men's doubles titles here since 1936. 'I've never done it in my life before,' said Glasspool of their current success. 'You kind of get in that mindset where you just expect to win almost, even if you're completely delusional. 'It kind of takes the nerves out. We're coming up against one of the best teams in the world and we expect to beat them.' Glasspool hopes their achievements will earn them a bit of attention, with the 31-year-old adding: 'I saw an article yesterday saying all British hopes out of the Wimbledon draw now because (Cameron) Norrie lost. 'And I was like, 'Well there's actually three teams still in on the men's side'. It is a little bit annoying but it's nothing new and if you keep winning then maybe you get some more coverage.' They could have found themselves facing British opposition again but Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski lost out in two tie-breaks to fourth seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos in a repeat of the French Open final. It will be another tough test for Cash and Glasspool, but they could not be more confident, with Cash saying: 'It's very special (to be in the semi-finals) but we're here to win the title. For us there's nothing to celebrate yet. If we bring our game and deliver, I think we take down any pair.' Patten faces losing nearly a quarter of his prize money after being handed the biggest fine of the tournament so far, 12,500 US dollars (approximately £9,200), for swearing at a member of staff at the practice courts the day before the tournament. The 29-year-old has appealed the punishment and hit out at Wimbledon in a statement earlier this week, criticising the fact it was made public and saying: 'I do not believe that there has been a full or proper investigation, nor has Wimbledon acted reasonably or fairly with due process.' Patten will not hear the result of his appeal until after the tournament but insisted it had not affected him on court. 'I think I did a pretty good job of focusing on my tennis,' he said. 'We were happy with how we played today. Obviously it hurts now.' There is also still home interest in the wheelchair events and juniors, with Hannah Klugman and Mimi Xu, who both received wild cards for the women's singles, through to the quarter-finals of the girls' event. Joe Salisbury & Luisa Stefani are into the mixed doubles FINAL! 🤝#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 | #Wimbledon — LTA (@the_LTA) July 8, 2025 Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid began their quest for a seventh straight wheelchair doubles title by beating Takuya Miki and Casey Ratzlaff 6-3 6-2 while Greg Slade reached the semi-finals of the quad wheelchair singles. On Thursday, Salisbury will bid for a seventh grand slam title in the mixed doubles final alongside Brazilian Luisa Stefani. The pair, who will take on Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands and Czech Katerina Siniakova, only entered at the last minute after Salisbury's original partner, Jodie Burrage, suffered an ankle injury. Salisbury has trophies from all the other slams across men's and mixed doubles but is yet to lift silverware at Wimbledon. 'It would be amazing,' he said. 'For me it's the main one, to win Wimbledon is the biggest tournament, biggest title. I'm mostly focused on the men's titles but winning the mixed doubles is amazing as well and it would be a Wimbledon title and have your name in history forever.'
