A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Kate Middleton’s presence at the Wimbledon finals last weekend came as no surprise.
Joined by Princess Charlotte and Prince George, the Princess of Wales was visibly moved by the standing ovation she received. Although Prince Louis’ debut at the tournament will have to wait, Kate made sure her youngest son wasn’t forgotten.
A Passion Passed Down
Kate, a promising tennis player in her youth, has long shared her love of the sport with her children. George and Charlotte have both taken up tennis, and it has become a tradition for Kate to attend the finals each year with at least one of them.
Even after her cancer diagnosis in March last year forced her to step away from the public eye, she continued to make time for Wimbledon. This year felt especially uplifting, as Kate recently shared she is in remission and celebrated by attending the tournament with her family.
Warm Reception and Family Moments
On Saturday, Kate and Charlotte watched the women’s final between Iga Swiontek and Amanda Anisimova from the Royal Box. The following day, George joined them along with Prince William for the men’s final, where Jannick Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz.
As Kate entered the stadium, she was met with a warm standing ovation. After the match, the family met Sinner, who signed tennis balls for Charlotte. Kate thanked him, adding, “We brought one for their brother as well,” prompting William to joke, “Louis would be very upset otherwise.”
Earlier that week, while viewing a portrait of King Louis XIV at Windsor Castle, Kate laughed that she should know about Louis — a lighthearted nod to her own son.
Health Concerns and Public Support
Kate’s appearance delighted many fans, with some praising her chic look and resilience after her cancer battle. However, others expressed concern over her thin frame, noting she looked “painfully thin” despite her radiant presence.
Throughout her treatment, Kate has frequently spoken about the dedication of medical staff and has visited hospitals to connect with other cancer patients. In June, she spent time at Colchester Hospital’s restorative garden, created for those undergoing treatment.
Reflections on Recovery
During that visit, Kate candidly described the period following treatment as more challenging than expected.
“You put on a sort of brave face through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she said.
She explained that without regular support from her medical team, adjusting to home life felt daunting. “You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it’s a rollercoaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be,” she added. “But the reality is you go through hard times.”
Kate’s openness about her journey — combined with moments of warmth like those at Wimbledon — continues to resonate deeply with the public, showing both her resilience and her relatability.
