Kate Middleton loves her tennis and has been seen handing out trophies to Wimbledon champions since 2016.
Her ongoing cancer treatment has raised questions over whether she will feel well enough to attend this weekend – meaning we’ll miss out on some of the iconic moments the Princess of Wales has given us over the years. One such moment has since resurfaced online, showing the time the 42-year-old accidentally broke protocol and was corrected by a cheeky ball girl.
Last year, the Duchess of Cambridge was at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London filming with eight-time champion Roger Federer and the ball crew members. But during a rally with the retired Swiss player, the Royal caught an out-of-bounds ball a move against protocol.
READ MORE: Judy Murray makes Emma Raducanu U-turn after fury over son Andy’s ruined Wimbledon dream
Get more of the latest Wimbledon updates here.
(Image: Thomas Lovelock – AELTC via Gett)
Federer then asked SW19 ball girl Molly if catching the ball was allowed, as he knew it was banned in Australia. In response, she cheekily clarified: “You are not meant to catch it. You are meant to let it bounce and then get it, but good catch.”
Despite the minor faux pas, the Duchess, dressed in a white tennis outfit, gracefully handled the situation and later praised the ball boys and girls. “The amount of work it takes, it is incredible to see,” she commented.
TikTok users, who were looking back on the moment fondly, took to the comments praising the Princess for how she handled being corrected. One user said: “She catches our hearts.”
(Image: Wimbledon/ YouTube)
Another added: “She dealt with it very professionally! True Queen,” as a third commented: “If I’m the ball girl I’m telling my grandkids the time I corrected the Queen or whatever her title is (sorry I’m American).” Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: “She handled that so gracefully.”
Kate has only made one public appearance so far this year, at Trooping the Colour last month, but if she is unavailable the Duchess of Gloucester is being lined up to present the awards, according to The Telegraph.
All England Club Chair Debbie Jevans told the publication that officials at Wimbledon would remain “flexible” on arrangements, with a final decision on presenting duties not expected to be made until the morning of the women’s final on Saturday.