Today, the Princess of Wales is a familiar face in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, often spotted cheering courtside with Prince George and Princess Charlotte at her side. But over a decade ago, Kate found herself in a very different position — one where royal protocol and medical advice meant she had to sit out one of the biggest matches of the year.

The year was 2013, and Kate was just weeks away from giving birth to her first child, Prince George. At the time, Wimbledon was heading into its finals, and Andy Murray was on the verge of a historic win for British tennis. Kate, a lifelong tennis fan and patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, had every intention of being there — but her doctors had other ideas.

“I was very heavily pregnant with George, so I wasn’t able to turn up,” Kate recalled in the BBC documentary Our Wimbledon, hosted by Sue Barker. “I was sort of like, ‘Maybe I could go,’ but the doctors were like, ‘No.’”

Even with a royal baby imminent, Kate admitted she had trouble accepting the decision. She was reportedly so disappointed that she sent a personal note to Murray after his win, congratulating him and apologising for missing the match.

A difficult pregnancy, made more challenging by hyperemesis

While pregnancy often keeps public figures away from the spotlight, Kate’s journey was particularly difficult. She suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum — a rare and severe form of morning sickness that causes extreme nausea, vomiting, and dehydration. The condition affected all three of her pregnancies and often led to hospitalisation.

Despite the challenges, Kate went on to deliver Prince George on July 22, 2013, at St Mary’s Hospital in London. Reflecting later on her first moments as a mother, she told the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast: “He was very sweet. I was sort of relieved that he was a happy, healthy boy. Everything goes in a bit of a blur.”

Fast-forward three years to 2016, and Kate finally got the chance to watch Andy Murray win Wimbledon in person. This time, she was there alongside Prince William to congratulate him courtside.

“Many congratulations,” Kate told the tennis champion. “It was a great game.” William echoed the sentiment, saying: “So pleased for you — well done.”

A royal tradition in the making

Since then, Wimbledon has become a staple on the Princess of Wales’s summer calendar. Her passion for tennis is evident — from presenting trophies on Centre Court to sharing the excitement with her children.

And though she may have missed that momentous 2013 final, it’s clear that both Kate’s commitment to royal duty and her love for the sport have only deepened over the years.