A right royal racquet! How Princess Margaret lit up the tournament (with a cigarette holder)… Diana showed William some love… and King George VI COMPETED! Wimbledon has been a true royal favourite down the decades as these pictures make clear
- George VI became first and only royal ever to compete at Wimbledon when he took part in doubles in 1926
- Princess Diana made several appearances, including in 1993, when she looked lovingly into William’s eyes
- Latest Wimbledon 2023 news, including schedule, travel updates and results
From a smoking Princess Margaret to a loving Princess Diana and a beaming Kate as she arrived at the All England club today, these pictures show how the tennis at Wimbledon has enthralled the Royal Family for decades.
Margaret attended several times during the 1960s, although her sister Queen Elizabeth II – though more a fan of horse racing than tennis – only went four times, most recently in 2010.
And as the Duke of York, King George VI became the first and only royal to ever compete at Wimbledon, when in 1926 he took part in the doubles with his friend and advisor Louis Greig. The pair lost in the first round.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrives at Wimbledon today, dressed in a mint green blazer and pleated full-length skirt
She took her place on an outside court alongside former player Laura Robson (right) on the second day of the tournament
Princess Diana also made several appearances at the prestigious sporting event, including when she was snapped looking into the eyes of her son Prince William during a tender moment in the royal box.
Another tender moment saw the Duchess of Kent, who is now largely out of the public eye, consoling Czech tennis player Jana Novotna after her defeat in the women’s singles final in 1993.
The Princess of Wales meanwhile has made repeated appearances in the royal box since marrying Prince William in 2011 and was seen in 2014 getting very animated as she watched Andy Murray take on Grigor Dimitrov.
Last year she presented the Wimbledon men’s singles trophy to Novak Djokovic after his victory over Nick Kyrigos, his seventh title on the hallowed turf.
Here, we take a look at some of the best photographs of the Royals attending Wimbledon…
Smoking up a storm! Princess Margaret enjoys a cigarette during the Wimbledon men’s singles final in 1965
As the Duke of York, King George VI became the first and only royal to ever compete at Wimbledon, when in 1926 he took part in the doubles with his friend and advisor Louis Greig – the pair lost in the first round
Princess Diana looks lovingly at her son Prince William as they watch proceedings at Wimbledon in 1991
Queen Elizabeth II congratulates players at the men’s doubles final in 1957, as spectators joyously watch on
Kate, the Princess of Wales hands the winner’s trophy to Novak Djokovic after his victory over Nick Kyrgios last year
Princess Margaret, seen wearing a pair of groovy sunglasses, enjoys a cigarette (again!) at Wimbledon in 1968
Princess Margaret is seen on centre court at Wimbledon as she prepares to present the Men’s Singles trophy to John Newcombe in 1970
Princess Margaret accepts a light from a companion in the royal box as she smokes at Wimbledon in 1966
The Queen presents the Wimbledon trophy to Virginia Wade after her victory at the championships in 1977
The Queen speaks to Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2010
Queen Elizabeth II, escorted by Wimbledon Chairman Tim Phillips, is seen at the championships in 2010
Lady Diana Spencer applauding in the Royal Box as she watches the action on Centre Court at Wimbledon in July 1981 (left); the Princess at the 1995 championships (right)
Princess Diana is seen enjoying Wimbledon in 1981, just a few weeks before she married King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales
Princess Diana claps along at Wimbledon in 1981. In the front row is Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent
Princess Diana and her eldest son Prince William clap as they watch the women’s final at Wimbledon in 1991
Princess Diana beams during the final of the men’s singles at Wimbledon in 1993
The Princess sat next to her mother, Francis Shand Kydd. She outlived her daughter by seven years after Diana’s death in a car crash in 1997
Princess Diana and her mother Frances Shand Kydd both take a pause from watching proceedings at the 1993 men’s final
Princess Diana is seen in the royal box at Wimbledon with her friend Julia Samuel in 1994
Princess Diana joyously applauds proceedings at a women’s tennis match at Wimbledon in July 1987
Princess Diana greets her sister-in-law the Duchess of York at Wimbledon in 1990 as other occupants of the royal box look on
Princess Diana (left) and Sarah, Duchess of York (right) during the Wimbledon Championships in June 1988
The Princess of Wales holds the winner’s trophy after the men’s singles final at Wimbledon in 2019
Prince William and his son Prince George are seen enjoying Wimbledon in July last year
The Princess of Wales, then the Duchess of Cambridge, is seen enjoying herself during the fourth round match between Tsvetana Pironkova and Venus Williams in 2011
The Princess of Wales is seen looking animated as she watches Simone Halep’s clash with Sabine Lisicki in 2014
Kate watches Andy Murray go up against Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon in 2014
Kate looks stressed during a tense moment in the match between Andy Murray and Gregor Dimitrov in 2014
Kate cheers as she watches Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic engage in a fierce tennis duel at the men’s final in 2014
Kate and William smile as they attend day seven of the Wimbledon Championships in 2011
Kate beams as she makes her way to her seat at Wimbledon with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, in 2018
Meghan Markle and Kate are seen sitting next to each other at the Wimbledon Championships in July 2019
Kate holds her hands to her mouth in the royal box on Centre Court during the 2019 Wimbledon final, in which Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer
Kate beams in a green dress as she attends day 12 of the Wimbledon Championships in 2021
Kate Middleton, then the Duchess of Cambridge, greets junior players at Wimbledon in June 2019
Prince George is seen in the royal box with his mother and father at the Wimbledon final last summer
I can’t look! Prince George looks anxious as he watches the men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, beams as she watches the Wimbledon Championships in 1990
Queen Mary, then the Queen Mother, is seen with Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent, attending the women’s final at Wimbledon in 1947
Queen Mary and the Duchess of Kent are pictured on June 30, 1945, whilst attending the first tennis match to be played at Wimbledon since the start of the Second World War
A vintage postcard featuring a men’s doubles match including King George VI (right) – then the Duke of York – at Wimbledon in 1926
American champion Jack Kramer (centre) is seen greeting Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother and King George VI after being presented with the winner’s trophy in 1947
The Queen Mother and George VI (right) watch proceedings at Wimbledon with Princess Margaret (left) in 1950
The Queen Mother is seen with American women’s champion Helen Wills Moody during a break in 1938
Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent, beams as she presents the Wimbledon trophy to Frank Sedgman of Australia after his victory in 1952
Katharine, Duchess of Kent, congratulates Martina Navratilova after her first win at Wimbledon – over Chris Evert – in 1978
The Duke and Duchess of Kent (left) stand by as John McEnroe celebrates winning the men’s doubles with his partner Peter Fleming in 1979
The Duke and Duchess of Kent hold a private conversation during the final of the women’s singles at Wimbledon in 1966, in which America’s Billie-Jean King defeated Maria Buena of Brazil
Czech tennis player Jana Novotna is consoled by Katharine, Duchess of Kent after losing the women’s singles final at the 1993 Wimbledon Championships
The Duchess of Kent comforts Jan Novotna after her defeat by Steffi Graf at Wimbledon in 1993
The Duchess of Kent is seen with her arms around Virginia Wade (right) and Wendy Turnbull of Australia after winning the women’s over-35s doubles final in 1995
1971: Princess Alexandra talks to Evonne Goolagong Cawley of Australia after presenting her with the women’s singles trophy following her victory over Margaret Court
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