Duchess of Gloucester might step in for Kate for Wimbledon finals day
The Duchess of Gloucester has been lined up as a possible replacement to present the Wimbledon trophies this weekend if the Princess of Wales is unavailable amid her cancer treatment, it has emerged.
It’s understood that Kate is being given ‘as much flexibility as possible’ by the All England Club, who will not make a final decision until the morning of the women’s final on Saturday.
The Princess of Wales took over Queen Elizabeth II as patron of the All England Club in 2016, and has regularly presented the trophies on Centre Court.
But she had made just one public appearance this year at Trooping the Colour following her announcement in March that she is having preventative chemotherapy for cancer which was found after major abdominal surgery in January.
Kensington Palace has not confirmed any future engagements for the Princess while she continues her recovery, and her surprise attendance at the Trooping the Colour on June 15 was announced just hours before.
The Duchess of Gloucester (pictured at Ascot last month) has been lined up as a possible replacement to present the Wimbledon trophies this weekend if the Princess of Wales is unavailable amid her cancer treatment
Kate is seen presenting the Wimbledon trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after last year’s men’s final
The Telegraph reports that the All England Club that the Duchess of Gloucester has emerged as the most likely replacement for Kate should she not be able to attend.
A Wimbledon spokesman told the newspaper that a decision had not been made yet and that it would be confirmed on the morning of each final.
The Danish-born Duchess, who was Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen before marrying Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester in 1972, is a huge tennis fan and it would enable Wimbledon to continue their royal tradition.
Some 10 royals have presented the trophies since King George V (then Prince George) became the club’s first president in 1907.
The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, has been an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for 25 years and was invited to Wimbledon last week by the All England Club.
Two weeks ago, All England Club Chair Debbie Jevans told the Telegraph: ‘We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority.
‘We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
Kate has just made one public appearance this year, which was the Trooping the Colour on June 15
The Duchess of Gloucester was seen in the royal box on day three of Wimbledon last week
The Princess of Wales presents the Wimbledon trophy in 2019, a year in which Novak Djokovic won
‘I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative – that’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary.
‘We’re staying flexible. When we hear we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.’
In another complication, the Wimbledon final would clash with the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
England are one game away from reaching the final – and the Prince of Wales, as President of the FA, would likely be in Berlin for it.
William was seen passionately celebrating England’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Sunday.
He may even attend the final if the Three Lions are beaten by Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday.
