he Princess of Wales has presented world number one Carlos Alcaraz with his first Wimbledon championship trophy, marking the Spaniard’s win against Novak Djokovic who was battling for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title.
The tennis stars’ thrilling five-set match was also watched by the Prince of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Both players bowed in front of Kate ahead of receiving their gongs and chatted with the princess briefly before she stepped back and joined the crowd in applauding each of them.
Alcaraz was all smiles in his on-court interview as he remarked on how “special” it was to play in front of royalty – including King Felipe VI of Spain.
Addressing his country’s King, the 20-year-old said: “When I played in front of you, twice that I won. I hope that you are coming more.”
The champion told Djokovic: “You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis watching you.
“Since I was born you already were winning tournaments. It’s amazing.
“You said that 36 is the new 26 and you made that happen.”
The Serbian runner-up began to cry during his on-court interview before addressing his wife, Jelena, telling her: “I love you. Thank you for supporting… I give you a big hug and we can all love each other.”
He congratulated Alcaraz on his win and praised his “Spanish bull mentality of competitiveness” in a press conference after the match.
The royals were not the only famous faces spectating at Centre Court.
Academy Award-winning actor Brad Pitt and James Bond star Daniel Craig were also enjoying the tennis, along with Australian actor Hugh Jackman, British rapper Stormzy, and US singers Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande.
Tennis fans gathered across the Atlantic at The Hill in New York, in Brooklyn Bridge Park, to watch the men’s final, a day after Spice Girl Melanie C lit the city’s Empire State Building in Wimbledon colours of purple, green and white.
There was more than one historic win at SW19 on Sunday as 17-year-old Henry Searle, cheered on by his very own “Barmy Army”, became the first British boys’ singles champion in 61 years.
The Waleses arrived in SW19 around noon for Charlotte’s first ever visit to the tournament.
Wearing a blue dress, she held Kate’s hand and walked ahead of George and William to reach the Players’ Lawn and greeted Wimbledon staff, police dog Stella and British wheelchair doubles champion Gordon Reid.
In the Player’s Lawn, Kate told Ella Ottaway, who runs the All England Club’s young people programme, that Prince Louis was “very upset” that he was not attending.
The princess said: “It’s Charlotte’s first time, George came last year. They’ve been eagerly watching.
“Charlotte, you’ve been getting to grips with the scoring.
“Louis was very upset he wasn’t coming today.”
The princess also told 16-year-old ball boy Joel that Louis has been practising being a ball boy.
After their conversation, Joel told the PA news agency: “He (Louis) tries to practise the standing and staying serious, like us.
“He tries to practise the stands and how we stand at the back of the court and next to the players.”
Charlotte petted Stella the springer spaniel, who searched Centre Court on Sunday morning on her last day at Wimbledon before retiring.
The young princess was also introduced to eight-year-old Mu’awwiz Anwar who is representing the charity WaterAid and who performed the coin toss at the match.
Sunday marks Kate’s third visit to Wimbledon – this time wearing a green dress by Roland Mouret – over the course of this year’s tournament.The princess attended on Saturday and consoled a tearful Ons Jabeur after the Tunisian lost the ladies’ singles final against Czech player Marketa Vondrousova.
Asked in a press conference what the princess said to her, Jabeur said: “Same thing after last year, to encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a grand slam, win a Wimbledon.
“Obviously she was very nice.
“She didn’t know if she wants to give me a hug or not.
“I told her hugs are always welcome from me.
“That was a very nice moment and she’s always nice to me.”
And Kate had a rain-hit visit on the tournament’s second day when she took shelter under an umbrella on Court 18 while watching British number one Katie Boulter.
