Wimbledon has long been a cherished summer tradition for the British public—and no one loves it quite like Kate Middleton. For the Princess of Wales, it’s not just about tennis. It’s a slice of English summertime magic, complete with strawberries, cream, and the electric energy of Centre Court. But last year, one tender moment stole the spotlight more than any rally or serve.
As patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, Kate plays a key role at the Championships. In 2023, she stepped onto the court to present the runner-up trophy to Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, who had just lost her second consecutive Wimbledon final. Having also suffered defeat at the US Open Final that year, emotions ran high for the athlete. And that’s when something extraordinary happened.
In a gesture that touched hearts around the world, Kate offered Jabeur comforting words—and then a warm hug. While royal tradition typically steers clear of such personal contact, Kate’s instinct to connect won out.
According to Jabeur, the moment was as genuine as it gets. “Obviously, she was very nice. She didn’t know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me,” she shared in an interview.
The Princess had encouraged her with a message of hope: to stay strong, come back, and win a Grand Slam. It wasn’t the first time Kate had shared such supportive words with the player.
In fact, Jabeur revealed that the Princess had been following her closely and felt personally invested in her journey. “She has watched me twice, losing the final twice,” she told Hello!. “She kept asking me if she could hug me, and I was like, ‘Who doesn’t want a hug from a Princess, you know?’”
Kate’s warm energy, Jabeur said, made a tough moment a little easier. “For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me.”
This emotional exchange is far from an isolated incident. Kate has often shown a softer, more approachable side of royalty. From hugging a midwife who helped deliver Princess Charlotte, to giving fans personal moments at engagements, she’s no stranger to gently rewriting the rulebook.
Even Prince William has bent protocol now and then—like when he embraced a grieving widow after the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Technically, the royal website still suggests that greetings should involve bows, curtsies, and formal titles. But as royal watchers know, even the late Queen once admitted to Michelle Obama that “royal protocol is rubbish” and meant to evolve when necessary.
Last year’s Wimbledon appearance was especially poignant for Kate. It marked her second major outing of the year amid ongoing cancer treatment. She was joined in the Royal Box by her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and sister, Pippa Matthews, for the men’s final. The Princess has only ever missed the tournament once—in 2013, while awaiting the birth of Prince George.
As the 2025 Championships continue, speculation is building around Kate’s expected return to public life. She’s reportedly due to rejoin the royal spotlight on July 8 during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, and fans are eager to see if she’ll make her way back to Centre Court once again.
Meanwhile, the Royal Box has welcomed an impressive list of guests, including John Cena, Thomas Tuchel, and Olivia Rodrigo. Even Sarah Ferguson made a rare appearance—her first in over two decades—accompanied by her daughter, Princess Beatrice.
Although she wasn’t seated in the exclusive Royal Box this time, her return was a nostalgic throwback to the many appearances she made alongside Princess Diana in the ‘80s and ‘90s.