Although Prince Louis has yet to attend Wimbledon like his older siblings, the young royal already shares a meaningful bond with the historic tennis tournament—thanks to a thoughtful gesture from tennis legend Stan Smith.

A Special Gift from a Tennis Icon

In July 2019, when Louis was just over a year old, his mother, Kate Middleton, attended the Men’s Singles Final at Wimbledon as a guest in the Royal Box.

During the event, Stan Smith—1972 Wimbledon champion and the man behind the iconic Adidas Stan Smith trainers—presented Kate with a unique gift for her youngest child.

Smith gave Prince Louis a miniature pair of his signature shoes, complete with a handwritten note. The tiny trainers, inscribed with “To Louis from Stan Smith,” were considered a priceless keepsake by those close to the royal family.

A Royal Family Favorite

In a 2021 interview with GQ, Smith recalled the moment: “I saw photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge wearing the shoe, and I once had the chance to chat to her at Wimbledon. I actually gave some shoes to the Duke and Duchess for George, Charlotte, and Louis.”

He also confirmed that Louis’s cousin, Prince Archie, received a pair as well—and he even received a thank-you note from the Sussexes. “And interestingly, I’ve always heard that [Queen Elizabeth] has to approve all gifts. So that makes it royally approved by Her Majesty,” he added with a smile.

Louis’s Budding Love for Tennis

Though Louis hasn’t yet made an official appearance at Wimbledon, his interest in the sport is already showing. In 2023, Kate revealed that her youngest son likes to mimic the Wimbledon ball boys while playing in the garden.