She’d just won the most famous tennis tournament in the world but tennis star, Simona Halep, came over ever so slightly star struck as she was crowned Wimbledon champion for 2019. The Romanian player, the first from her country to ever claim a singles title at the All England Club, couldn’t contain her excitement that the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex had come to watch her play.
Her delight over the duchesses was shared in her post victory interview on Centre Court where she ended by saying ”thank you for coming, everyone from the Royal Family”. She had just been told she’d get the chance to meet the royal guests once she left the court and she replied with a big grin, saying ”that’s amazing”.
Kate and Meghan had just watched the former World Number One claim her first ever Wimbledon title with a straight sets win over Serena Williams. Halep took the title in just 56 minutes with a 6-2 6-2 victory. The famous Venus Rose Water Dish was presented to her by the President of the All England Club, the Duke of Kent.
Later on, Kensington Palace shared a video on its official Instagram account of Simona Halep dropping a very low curtsy to the Duchess of Cambridge when they met off court while Kate offered effusive congratulations to the new champion.
The Duchess of Cambridge had arrived at Wimbledon with her sister, Pippa, who joined Kate and Meghan in the Royal Box. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, was also there, ten days ahead of leaving office. Stars including Jodie Whittaker were also spotted at the final while former champion and Wimbledon legend, Martina Navratilova, took her place in the Royal Box just behind the duchesses.
Kate, who is now patron of the All England Club, will be back at Centre Court on Sunday when she’ll be joined by the Duke of Cambridge to watch the Men’s Singles Final where Roger Federer will take on defending champion, Novak Djokovic, as the tournament comes to an end.
This week has seen a high royal presence at the famous competition with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex also attending.
