Queen Camilla paid a surprise visit to Wimbledon last year amid a tumultuous time for the Royal Family – and during her day out at the tennis she made a telling remark

Queen Camilla at Wimbledon last year (Image: PA)

If there’s one sporting tournament that’s guaranteed to bring in a royal crowd – it’s Wimbledon. The tennis grand slam tournament returns for another year on Monday and regular royal spectators usually include the Princess of Wales, Zara and Mike Tindall – and even Queen Camilla.

Last year, she made an unnannounced visit to the All England Club to watch the quarter finals action from the Royal Box on Centre Court with her sister Annabel Elliot. The outing came during a tumultuous time for Camilla, who during the early part of 2024 had been keeping the royal show on the road while her husband King Charles and Kate took time out from public duties as they were both diagnosed with cancer.

Camilla speaks Camila, daughter of Mexican tennis player Santiago Gonzalez(Image: PA)

But amid the worrying time, she was able to relax somewhat on a day out at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, where she wore a cream linen dress featuring large giraffe motifs by Anna Valentine, with a Jack Russell brooch from Van Cleef and Arpels.

On arriving at the championships, she met former player Laura Robson, who works in international player relations. And tellingly the Queen told her about her day out that it was it was “so nice to be able to escape for a day”.

Meanwhile, Camilla also praised head gardener Martyn Falconer, who has worked at Wimbledon for 25 years and cares for all the plants around the grounds. “It all looks fantastic. It always looks absolutely perfect,” she told him.

Kate at Wimbledon last year (Image: PA)

She also met another Camila – the daughter of Mexican doubles player Santiago Gonzalez – after the youngster boldly introduced herself to the royal guest. The Queen said “fancy having two Camillas here” and asked if she would like a picture together, and had a peek at Camila’s Wimbledon pass by holding her lanyard to read it.

She spent time chatting to ball girl Natalia, from Burntwood School in Wandsworth, and ball boy Yug, from Harris Academy Wimbledon, asking them which courts they worked on and how much they had been enjoying the experience.

It has not been confirmed yet if Kate is set to attend SW19 during the Wimbledon fortnight this year as she is still gradually returning to royal duties following her cancer treatment.

Confusion was sparked last week when it was announced that Kate, who is in remission from cancer, would not be attending the second day of Royal Ascot festival.

It came after her name originally appeared on the official list of those taking part in a carriage procession alongside her husband Prince William as well as the King and Queen. When it was confirmed that she would not be attending, sources said she is still trying to find the right balance following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy treatment.