In years to come, he might well hand out the prizes at the world’s most famous tennis tournament himself. But on a sunny summer’s afternoon, Prince George found himself being presented with the winner’s trophy at Wimbledon.
George was given the chance to hold the famous gilt cup by the newly crowned Men’s Singles champion, Novak Djokovic, as he and his parents congratulated the star player at the end of a final that had provided plenty of talking points.
The prince, days away from his ninth birthday, accompanied the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the All England Tennis Club on July 10 2022 to see Djokovic defend his title against Australian, Nick Kyrgios. George was in the royal box as the four set match unfolded, complete with a few outbursts from Kyrgios who became angry with the behaviour of the crowd as his early advantage slipped away from him.
George was dressed in a suit, as Wimbledon’s rules dictate for the royal box. He popped inside the venue at one point during the match as a TV shot showed his seat, and that of his father, empty for a brief period. Temperatures in London were close to thirty degrees Celsius for much of the afternoon.
George then watched from the royal box with the Duke of Cambridge as the Duchess presented the prizes at the end of the final. The three then headed inside to meet the players and some of those working at the Championships.
As he met seven times champion Djokovic, the third in line to the throne was asked whether he’d like to hold the trophy. After quickly agreeing, he took hold of the famous award with Kate on hand to ensure the lid, featuring a gilt pineapple, didn’t topple to the ground.
The Duchess of Cambridge was present across finals weekend. Kate is Patron of the All England Club and, since the retirement of the Duke of Kent as President of the Club last year, she has taken on all the presentation ceremonies.
George’s day out at the tennis was an early summer holiday treat. The prince’s term at Thomas’ Battersea on July 8 with reports suggesting that he and his sister, Charlotte, may be moving to a new school in September as their family makes Windsor a permanent base.
