Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warning

15 July 2023 , 12:36
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Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warning
Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warning

The Princess of Wales has arrived at Wimbledon ahead of taking a seat in the Royal Box to watch the ladies' singles final.

Kate will make her way to Centre Court to see Czech player Marketa Vondrousova take on Tunisian Ons Jabeur from 2pm.

Wearing a £420 pale green Self Portrait dress with a pleated skirt, the princess chatted with Wimbledon staff, including a ball girl and ball boy, at the Players' Lawn.

As a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Kate is a regular face at SW19.

She had a rain-hit visit on the tournament's second day when she took shelter under an umbrella on Court 18, where she was watching British number one Katie Boulter.

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Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningKate seen waving as she arrives (WireImage)
Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningShe wore a pale green skirt and top (WireImage)

In the afternoon, she made her way to the Royal Box where she was joined by former champion Roger Federer.

Fans vented their disappointment on Saturday morning after organisers closed the Wimbledon queue due to a yellow weather warning for wind, in place from 9am to 11.59pm.

Wimbledon tweeted a reminder ahead of gates opening: "Please remember the Queue is not in operation today and as such there are no tickets available for sale.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningChairman of AELTC Ian Hewitt and the Princess of Wales in the Royal Box (Getty Images)

"We ask that you do not travel to Wimbledon today unless you are an existing ticket holder."

Kathy Yates, 54, and her son Daniel Yates, 27, were turned away at the gates when they tried to queue for ground passes on Saturday.

The pair had taken a flight from Aberdeen and stayed in a hotel on Friday night for a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to watch the tournament.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningThe 2023 Wimbledon Championships is being held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon (PA)

Ms Yates said: "We have spent well over £300. Two of our other family members have got tickets in the ballot.

"We all came down together. We have been queuing since 7am this morning.

"We have been planning for this for a long time. We don't often get together. I have one son who lives in Edinburgh.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningThe Princess of Wales speaks to ball boys and girls (PA)

"We made this as a family get-together and half the family can get in and half the family can't."

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Tiago Veloso, 48, and his 15-year-old son Vincente arrived at Wimbledon at around 8am to queue for tickets.

Mr Veloso said: "We came yesterday. It was terrible weather. The rain cancelled all the games and we came today to see the ground games, the under-14s and juniors, because (my son) wanted to watch.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningKate pictured at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (PA)

"I don't understand, yesterday was the worst of the weather. I don't understand the decision.

"It is a very frustrating morning. We had a lot of expectations because the weather yesterday was terrible and we were not expecting this today."

Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey previously told the PA news agency: "There is a (yellow wind warning) on Saturday covering Wimbledon and may well impact the competition.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningThe Princess of Wales speaking to emergency service workers (PA)

"That will bring blustery conditions and, again, rain and showers are expected."

The Princess of Wales also told a maintenance manager at Wimbledon he had "saved the day" after fixing a leak in the Court One shop the day before the tennis tournament began.

Kate met Billy Lewis at the championships on Saturday ahead of the ladies' singles final.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningThe women's singles final tennis match is between Tunisia's Ons Jabeur and Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova (AFP via Getty Images)

According to Mr Lewis, the Princess said: '' I heard you saved the day, in terms of a leak?"

She was also seen speaking with British Army, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police during her visit to Wimbledon.

Kate asked Adam Taylor, from the Met Police, how the queue for the tennis tournament has been.

She recalled her own time spent queueing to get into the championship as a child: "I loved it when I was younger. It was part of coming to see Wimbledon and the anticipation."

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningKate seen with Billie Jean King (Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)

Mr Taylor said: "She was (talking) about the queue and how she remembers that as a child, and how lovely it is to still see that going now."

The princess spoke with Jack Wakelin, a clinical team manager at the London Ambulance Service, about the dangers of dehydration when spectators do not drink enough water and "forget not to drink too much Pimm's".

Kate also met Philippa George, who will toss the coin for the Wimbledon women's singles final.

Ms George was nominated as a representative of the Riding For The Disabled charity.

Kate takes her seat at Wimbledon as she braves stormy weather warningThe Princess of Wales braving the windy conditions seated next to Billie Jean King (PA)

Kate told Ms George she was "such an inspiration to so many people" and was glad she had been recognised.

Ms George, 27, said after the meeting: "It was so special. She was asking me about my nails and talked to me about how I like horses.

"She was really happy that I was here... It means so much.

"It is such an honour to be here and being part of all this. I am so grateful to have this opportunity."

Jennifer Newton

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