Princess Catherine’s possible replacement for the Wimbledon trophy ceremony has been revealed after the All England club chair was spotted chatting to Princess Beatrice.
The Daily Mirror’s Royal Editor Russell Myers says the public in the United Kingdom have been keeping their “fingers crossed” to see the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon following her cancer treatments.
“Certainly, Wimbledon is going on … a lot of talk has been about whether we will see the Princess of Wales at Wimbledon,” he said.
“We know that is one of her passion projects … of course ongoing cancer treatment and whether she will be well enough to attend.”
Beatrice, 35, was joined by her dapper husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and was seen mingling with pal Stephen Fry in the row behind.
The Princess of York dressed for the season in a bright floral day dress and styled her hair in a half-up do with natural make-up.
Despite the rainy weather, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s eldest daughter appeared to be in high spirits as she watched the men’s quarterfinals match between Italy’s Jannik Sinner and Russia’s Daniil Medvedev.
Michael Mcintyre, Stephen Fry, Deborah Jevans, Chairwoman of the AELTC and Princess Beatrice are seen in the Royal Box on Centre Court during day nine of The Championships Wimbledon 2024. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images.
Noticeably, Beatrice was also joined in the royal box by Chairwoman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club Deborah Jevans.
Ms Jevans helps coordinate the tournament’s trophy presentations for the Wimbledon finalists, a role fulfilled by club patron Princess Catherine since 2016.
Last month, Ms Jevans told the British press she is “hopeful” Kate will return to Centre Court this year to hand out the trophies but emphasised that the Princess’s cancer treatment was the “priority”.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority. We don’t know what we don’t know,” she told The Telegraph last month.
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Beatrice was spotted cheering on Italy’s Jannik Sinner. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage.
“All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
“We’re staying flexible. When we hear we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”
Beatrice’s appearance alongside Ms Jevans has also cast doubt on speculation that Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester would take over for the Princess of Wales if Kate is not feeling up to the job.
If indeed Beatrice does fill in for Kate, it will mark the latest sign of the Princess’s growing role in the monarchy despite not technically being a “working royal”.
Beatrice and Eugenie are Princesses but do not carry out royal duties. Picture: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images.
The Princess, who is ninth in line to the throne, has taken on some royal duties following Charles and Catherine’s cancer diagnoses including high-profile appearances during mental health week and at society occasions like Cheltenham Festival.
In late May, she attended a garden party hosted by Prince William and helped entertain guests from various royal patronages.
She was also one of the main attractions at last month’s Royal Ascot, a favourite society event of her late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.