On a radiant summer afternoon at Wimbledon on Saturday, July 12, 2025, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, made a striking appearance in a full white ensemble, perfectly suited for the occasion as she took her place in the Royal Box to witness one of tennis's most anticipated showdowns: the women's singles final between Poland's Iga Swiatek and America's Amanda Anisimova.
Kate, who is the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, arrived to a thunderous standing ovation from the packed Centre Court crowd of 15,000. Her presence was not only a symbol of royal support for the sport but also a comforting presence for the players. Dressed elegantly in a white belted blazer-style top paired with a cream pleated skirt, and adorned with a Wimbledon purple and green bow, the Princess radiated grace and warmth throughout the afternoon.
The match itself was historic and swift. Iga Swiatek, 24, dominated the court with a masterful performance, defeating the 23-year-old Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, in just 57 minutes. This scoreline, known as a "double bagel," is a rarity in Grand Slam finals and marked only the second time in the Open Era that such a decisive victory occurred in a women's major final, the first being at the 1988 French Open.
Swiatek's triumph at Wimbledon added an important chapter to her already impressive career. With this victory, she became the youngest woman since Serena Williams to have won majors on all three surfaces, cementing her status among the elite in world tennis. This was Swiatek's first Wimbledon final appearance, having reached only as far as the quarter-finals in 2023, and she entered the tournament seeded eighth.
On the other side of the net, Anisimova, competing in her first Grand Slam final, faced immense pressure. The American, once hailed as a teenage prodigy and junior US Open champion at 16, had battled her way back to form following a health hiatus last year. Seeded 13th at Wimbledon, she had already stunned fans earlier in the tournament by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match.
Despite the crushing defeat, Anisimova's emotional response and resilience captured the hearts of the spectators. She broke down in tears immediately after the match and briefly left the court before returning for the trophy presentations. It was during this poignant moment that Princess Kate stepped forward to offer words of comfort and encouragement. Anisimova later revealed, "It was such an honour to meet her. I wasn't sure if she was going to come out today, if she was going to be there, so it's just really nice to see her. She definitely had a few things to say that were making me emotional again. She was really kind and she told me to keep my head high." This touching exchange underscored the human side of sport, where grace in victory and dignity in defeat are equally celebrated.
The trophy presentation was a memorable affair. Kate handed the iconic Venus Rosewater Dish to a beaming Swiatek, who repeatedly expressed her gratitude to the Princess. Then, turning her attention to Anisimova, Kate consoled the runner-up as she received her trophy, offering reassurance amid the emotional scene. The crowd responded with a standing ovation for Anisimova, recognizing her valiant effort and sportsmanship.
Throughout the day, the Princess engaged warmly with various members of the Wimbledon community. She spoke with women's wheelchair tennis champion Wang Ziying shortly after her straight-sets victory, and had an endearing conversation with eight-year-old Lydia Lowe, a representative of the Dan Maskell Trust, who performed the coin toss for the wheelchair final. Kate also interacted with 12-year-old Sophie Kneen, who conducted the coin toss for the women's final, ball boys and girls, and honorary stewards, highlighting her genuine connection to the sport at all levels.
Kate's arrival at the Championships was greeted with enthusiasm, as she waved to crowds gathered at SW19 and was escorted by All England Club chairwoman Debbie Jevans, a former professional player. The Princess also exchanged greetings with tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, the latter curtseying in a touching moment of mutual respect.
Adding to the royal presence, two unexpected members of the royal family joined Kate in the Royal Box: Lady Helen Taylor, daughter of the Duke of Kent, and her daughter Lady Eloise Taylor. Their attendance was warmly noted, with both standing and applauding as the Princess arrived. Helen and Eloise, known for their own public engagements, were elegantly dressed, complementing the occasion's prestige.
The day was not only marked by individual triumphs but also by historic moments for British tennis. Earlier on Centre Court, British duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool made history by winning the men's doubles title—the first all-British pair to do so since 1936. Their victory was celebrated with resounding cheers and a memorable selfie capturing the occasion.
Alongside the Princess in the Royal Box were notable figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment, including filmmaker Greta Gerwig, Olympian Mo Farah, actor Stanley Tucci, and tennis legend Billie Jean King. Political leaders Tory's Kemi Badenoch and Labour's Lisa Nandy also attended, as did swimmer Adam Peaty and chef Holly Ramsay, underscoring Wimbledon's wide-reaching appeal.
The tournament itself faced challenges from the soaring summer heat, with temperatures reaching up to 33 or 34 degrees Celsius, marking the third heatwave of the season. Despite calls for the Centre Court roof to be closed and air conditioning turned on, officials maintained the traditional outdoor setting, adding an extra layer of endurance for players and fans alike.
Wimbledon also saw technological changes this year, with the replacement of around 300 line judges by the Hawk-Eye Challenge System, an AI-powered system using high-speed cameras and algorithms to track ball trajectories. While the technology aims to increase accuracy, it has sparked debate among players about its reliability.
The scheduling of the finals weekend was adjusted for the first time in 119 years, with the women's singles final starting at 4 pm instead of the traditional 2 pm, to maximize the television audience in the United States. This change also allowed the men's doubles final to open play on Centre Court before the women's final, creating a build-up to the weekend's climax.
Princess Kate has been a consistent and beloved presence at Wimbledon since marrying Prince William, only missing the 2013 Championships due to pregnancy. Her passion for tennis is well-known, having taken lessons herself and even arranging training sessions for her son Prince George with tennis legend Roger Federer. Last year, she famously presented the men's singles trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after his victory over Novak Djokovic.
As the sun set on Centre Court, the day belonged to Iga Swiatek's commanding win and Amanda Anisimova's courageous debut on the Grand Slam final stage, with Princess Kate's heartfelt support reminding everyone that behind the trophies and titles, the spirit of sport shines brightest through kindness and resilience.
