The Prince and Princess of Wales walk into the Royal Box at the All England Club, and the crowd rises to its feet. Prince George and Princess Charlotte follow, taking their seats as Centre Court erupts in a standing ovation. It is a scene that has repeated for generations, but each time it captures the nation’s attention: the fusion of Britain’s most beloved sport and its most famous family.
On Sunday 12 July 2026, the Prince and Princess of Wales—along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte—arrived at Wimbledon shortly after 3pm to watch the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. As is traditional, they first greeted a line of guests, including British wildcard Arthur Fery, who had just turned 24 and reached the semi-finals as the world number 114. During the brief exchange, Fery surprised the royals by offering to play tennis with George and Charlotte: "I told her if her kids ever wanted to hit, I'm free."
“An explainer on the royal family's role at Wimbledon, using the 2026 final as a case study.”
The Princess of Wales, Catherine, is the patron of the All England Club. After Sinner won his second consecutive title, she presented him with the trophy. Other members of the royal family in the Royal Box included Lord Frederick Windsor, his wife Sophie Winkleman, and Lady Gabriella Kingston. They were joined by celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Rami Malek, and Raye.
The royal connection to Wimbledon goes back more than a century. The All England Club has long received royal patronage, and members of the family regularly attend the championships. For spectators, the sight of the royals in the box is a reminder of the event’s place in British culture—a grand summer occasion that mixes sport, celebrity, and tradition.
For UK readers, the royal presence at Wimbledon matters because it elevates the tournament’s profile globally and reinforces its identity as a quintessentially British event. It also offers a rare, informal glimpse of the younger royals enjoying a day out. The invitation from Arthur Fery adds a human touch, showing how even top athletes can be starstruck by the family.
Q: Why does the royal family attend Wimbledon? The Princess of Wales is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, a role she took over from her husband. It is traditional for senior royals to attend the finals and present trophies, reinforcing the monarchy’s support for British sport.
Q: Who is Arthur Fery? Arthur Fery is a British tennis player who entered Wimbledon as a wildcard ranked 114th in the world and surprised everyone by reaching the men’s singles semi-finals. He turned 24 on the day of the final and was invited to meet the royal family.
Q: What did Arthur Fery say to the Princess of Wales? He told Catherine that if Prince George and Princess Charlotte ever wanted to play tennis, he would be happy to join them. She thanked him and wished him a happy birthday and good luck for the rest of the year.
As for what comes next, Arthur Fery will be confirmed as the new British number one and rise to 36th in the world rankings on Monday, taking home £900,000 in prize money. Whether he gets a call to play with the royal children remains to be seen.
