The Princess of Wales has surprised fans by attending the ladies’ single final at Wimbledon – and despite the sweltering heatwave, she didn’t have a hair out of place

Princess Kate wowed fans at Wimbledon today as she made a surprise appearance at the ladies’ singles final. The Princess of Wales has been making a slow return to public duties since undergoing cancer treatment in recent months.

Kate, 43, beamed as she stepped out at the finals ahead of watching USA tennis star Amanda Anisimova and Poland’s Iga Swiatek battle it out on the court. It’s the first time Kate has attended an event since cancelling her appearance at Ascot last month.

She was said to be disappointed to miss the famous social and sporting occasion in Berkshire with her husband and the King and Queen. Wimbledon is currently on its 13th day of schedule, with the event taking place at the famous All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The Princess wore a beautiful cream ensemble

Kate has been a regular at Wimbledon since she married into the Royal Family in 2011 and rarely misses the occasion.

After arriving at the iconic venue on Saturday, the Princess spoke with women’s wheelchair tennis champion Wang Ziying – only moments after she won her final in straight sets.

Kate then had a lengthy chat with eight-year-old Lydia Lowe, who is representing the Dan Maskell Trust and was given the honour of doing the coin toss for the wheelchair final on Court No.1.

She also talked with Sophie Kneen, 12, who will do the coin toss for this afternoon’s women’s final, ball boys and girls, and honorary stewards.

Kate, who is making a phased return to public life after suffering from cancer, was today comforted by an eight-year-old girl, who has herself suffered significant health problems.

Brave Lydia Lowe, who suffered a brain injury in January 2024 leaving her visually impaired and having to learn to walk, talk and eat again, was heard telling Kate: “Don’t be nervous, take deep breaths”.

The schoolgirl gave the guidance after Kate asked her if she had any advice for her on her big day, just weeks after she was forced to pull out of Royal Ascot at the last minute.

After Lydia gave Kate her advice, the princess replied: “Take deep breaths. I’ll remember that. Thank you.”

Lydia, from Doncaster, south Yorkshire, had earlier performed the coin toss at the Ladies’ Wheelchair Singles Final.

Lydia is representing the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust, a charity supporting people with disabilities who play tennis by providing them with specialist equipment and grants.

Kate attended Wimbledon after pulling out of Ascot last month

Kate had been greeted by All England club chair Deborah Jevans, who introduced her to a waiting presentation party, including Lydia.

Kate was also introduced to Sophie Kneen, 12, who will perform the coin toss before this afternoon’s ladies singles final.

And Work at Wimbledon representatives were Shaniah Williams and Jefferson Iweh.

She also spoke with Wimbledon’s longest-serving steward, Bob Flint, who has worked at the Championships every year for the last 45 years.

And she met ladies’ wheelchair singles champion Wang Ziying and her coach Ralph Yin.

The Princess then crossed the bridge, where she flashed a smile and a wave to hundreds of fans who cheered after gathering to catch a glimpse of her.

She received a moving standing ovation from 15,000 fans inside Centre Court as she entered the royal box to take her seat.

Kate received a standing ovation as she took her seat

Her face lit up at the reception from the crowd, shortly before Swiatek and Anisimova entered court for the ladies singles final.

Kate greeted former Wimbledon champ Martina Navratilova, 68, in the royal box, before shaking hands with tennis legend Billie Jean King, 81, who curtseyed to her.

This year, Kate opted for a timelessly chic cream ensemble – accessorised, of course, with the Wimbledon purple and green bow pinned to the left-hand side of her shirt.

Her look was perfectly appropriate for the scorching temperatures seen today at the championships, whilst still being incredibly smart, and allowed Kate’s sense of personal style to shine through.

Her blouse featured a delicate high collar, short sleeves, a matching cream self belt that cinched the future Queen at the waist, and delicate buttons covered in the same fabric – creating an understated and stylish impression.

She paired this with a matching cream midi skirt, with stunning pleats that fell in a delicate A-line shape – along with matching pumps and top-handle bag.

Ant McPartlin arrived with his wife(Image: GC Images)

Famous names set to sit alongside Kate in the royal box today include Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay, Stanley Tucci, Greta Gerwig, Mo Farah, and Sam Mendes.Other stars spotted around the grounds include Maya Jama, Ant McPartlin, David Walliams, Pixie Lott, Katherine Jenkins, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Ian Wright, Mary Earps, Joel Dommett, and Cara Delevingne.

Little Mix star Leigh-Anne certainly looked the part as she posed with a tennis racquet and wore a maxi dress with matching heels. TV presenter Maya Jama took a break from the Love Island drama to watch the drama on the court instead.

Leigh-Anne posed with a tennis racquet(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for evi)

Meanwhile, Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah who was knighted in 2017 for services to athletics, was pictured with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and seen shaking hands with journalist Clive Myrie.

In 2023, Kate attended three different days at Wimbledon, sporting differing green looks on each occasion. She presented Carlos Alcaraz with the Wimbledon trophy on her third and final day.

Mo Farah and Clive Myrie shook hands in the Royal Box(Image: PA)

In 2022, Kate presented Novak Djokovic with the Wimbledon trophy on centre court, dressed in a classy blue and white polka dot dress by Alessandra Rich.

She also made two more appearances at the games that year.

In 2021, Kate returned following a year off due to the pandemic. She was seen wearing a face mask and a polka dot skirt with a navy blazer for the occasion.

Stanley and Mo Farah shook hands in the royal box (Image: PA)

Kate’s first ever appearance came just months after she married Prince William in 2011. The Princess showed off her tan in a classic white dress by Temperley London.

While Kate is known for making several appearances at Wimbledon, insiders think this might be her one and only appearance at this year’s games as she slowly returns to her public duties.

Kate is in remission from cancer, having announced it in January 2025.

This news came after she publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis in March 2024. She has been focusing on her recovery and has acknowledged the challenging journey of adjusting to a “new normal” after treatment.