Kate, the Princess of Wales, made a rare public appearance at the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday, following her announcement earlier this year of her cancer diagnosis. A devoted tennis fan, Kate, 42, has been a regular in the Royal Box for many years, often accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and other members of the royal family.
This year, Kate attended the Grand Slam final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz with her daughter Charlotte, 9, and her sister Pippa Middleton Matthews, 40. Wearing a long purple dress, Kate smiled and waved at the cheering crowds as she made her way to Centre Court, receiving a standing ovation from the spectators.
Kate’s public appearances have been few since she revealed her cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment earlier this year. Alongside her husband William, 42, and their children George, 10, Charlotte, and Louis, 5, Kate has kept a low profile in recent months.
Last month, Kate attended the Trooping the Colour event in London, an annual military ceremony celebrating the official birthday of King Charles III. Prior to her Wimbledon appearance, Kate provided an update on her cancer treatment, sharing that she was “not out of the woods yet” and experiencing “good days and bad days.” She mentioned that while she was “making good progress,” her treatment would continue for a few more months.
Speculation about Kate’s health had intensified after the palace announced she would be stepping back from public duties following planned abdominal surgery in January. In response to the rumours, Kate released a video in March confirming her cancer diagnosis and ongoing chemotherapy treatment.
Her announcement followed King Charles III’s disclosure of his own cancer diagnosis in February. The 75-year-old monarch was found to have the disease after being hospitalized with an enlarged prostate, though the palace clarified that he does not have prostate cancer. Both Charles and Kate have chosen not to disclose the specific types of cancer they are battling or details about their prognoses.
Since resuming public duties last month, King Charles has attended several engagements, including D-Day memorial services in France.
After attending the Wimbledon match, Kensington Palace announced that Prince William would be traveling to Berlin to cheer on England in the Euro 2024 soccer final against Spain. William, who serves as the president of England’s Football Association, had previously watched the team’s matches against Switzerland and Denmark as they advanced to the final.
Kate’s presence at Wimbledon, despite her ongoing health challenges, was a poignant reminder of her dedication to her public duties and her love for tennis. The royal family continues to garner public support as they navigate these difficult times.
