For nearly 20 years, Princess Kate has been a familiar and beloved presence at Wimbledon.

As a passionate tennis fan and patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, her regular appearances at the iconic tournament have become a cherished tradition for royal watchers.

As the finals weekend draws near, many fans are hopeful that the Princess of Wales will attend this year’s concluding matches and continue her tradition of presenting the championship trophies, as she has in recent years.

A Heartfelt Moment With Ons Jabeur

During last year’s tournament, Kate took on her usual role of awarding trophies to the finalists, including Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur, who had just experienced a second consecutive Wimbledon final defeat, along with a loss at the US Open final the same year.

As Jabeur received her runner-up trophy, Kate offered kind words of encouragement—then stepped beyond the typical bounds of royal formality and gave the emotional athlete a warm and extended hug.

Later reflecting on the encounter, Jabeur shared: “Obviously, she was very nice. She didn’t know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me.”

When asked what Kate had said, Jabeur replied: “Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon.”

Speaking to Hello!, Jabeur added that it was Kate who initiated the embrace: “She was really the nicest. She has watched me twice, losing the final twice. She kept asking me if she could hug me, and I was like, ‘Who doesn’t want a hug from a Princess,’ you know? For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me.”

A Lifelong Passion for Tennis

Kate’s love for the sport began early in life. In a 2017 BBC documentary hosted by Sue Barker, the Princess recalled: “I have always watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up.

“I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game. It hasn’t changed either, I think that’s what’s so wonderful.”

Will She Attend the Finals This Weekend?

As the tournament heads into its final weekend, the Mirror reports growing anticipation among royal fans who hope to see Kate return to the royal box. Her most recent appearance at Wimbledon was in 2023, where she attended with her sister Pippa and daughter Princess Charlotte, marking one of her first public outings that year following cancer treatment.

The only year Kate has missed the event since her marriage was in 2013, when she was advised by her doctor to rest during her late pregnancy with Prince George.

Whether she attends or not, Princess Kate’s presence at Wimbledon remains symbolic—not only of her deep personal love for the game but also of the compassion and grace she brings to her public role.