Tennis royalty brushed shoulders with the real deal today, as Roger Federer made an appearance at Wimbledon, alongside the Princess of Wales’s mother Carole and sister Pippa.
Also snagging the most coveted seats at SW19 – in the royal box – were the Duchess of Gloucester and one of Queen Camilla’s six royal companions, longtime friend Lady Sarah Keswick.
Elsewhere it was a big day for British television VIPs, with James Norton pictured in the stands with his sister Jessica, as well as Homeland star David Harewood and Ncuti Gatwa – of Dr Who fame.
Sir Lenny Henry was also in attendance, along with tennis legend Billie Jean King.
The CEO of Microsoft AI also took in the action at Centre Court today – as did Football star Alessia Russo.
Read on to discover who’s who in the Royal Box on the eighth day at the Championships…
1. & 2. Carole and Pippa Middleton
Both Pippa and Carole have been documented to be lifelong tennis enthusiasts, and are regular fixtures at the Wimbledon Championships
Mother-daughter duo Carole and Pippa Middleton appeared effortlessly stylish as they arrived at Wimbledon today.
Clutching a straw hat to help mitigate the summer heat, the sister of the Princess of Wales opted for a £278 Reformation Naira Dress in the shade ‘dolly dot’.
To finish off the elegant summer look, Pippa, 42, selected stylish sunglasses and white statement heels as she arrived for the eighth day of the tennis championships.
A vision in white, Carole stepped out in a white dress and blue blazer jacket, with a chic brown bag and white heels to tie the look together.
The mother and sister of the future Queen were seen arriving at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club grounds in London this morning as they prepared to watch a day of fast-paced action.
Both Pippa and Carole have been documented to be lifelong tennis enthusiasts, and are regular fixtures at the Wimbledon Championships.
They were among several star-studded guests at today’s sporting event, including eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and actor James Norton, who opted for a grey blazer and burgundy tie.
Pippa has also struck up a high-profile close friendship with Roger Federer, who was a guest at her 2017 wedding to James Matthews. Over the years, the pair have been spotted enjoying several dinners with Carole.
Carole and Pippa’s first appearance at SW19 comes just a few days after the Princess of Wales ditched the Royal Box to take in the action on Court Number One.
The royal tennis superfan was seen gasping and putting her hands over her face during a tense match on Thursday.
3. Roger Federer
The tennis legend, 44, donned a brown blazer as he chatted with the mother and sister of the Princess of Wales – who he is also known to have a warm friendship with
Roger Federer was in high spirits at today’s outing, as he joined longtime friends Carole and Pippa Middleton in the royal box.
The tennis legend, 44, donned a brown blazer as he chatted with the mother and sister of the Princess of Wales – who he is also known to have a warm friendship with.
The royal mother-of-three was among those enthusiastically applauding as Federer was honoured for his stellar sporting achievements on centre court in 2023, following his retirement from the game the year prior.
As the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s patron and a sports fan, the Princess is a regular of the Royal Box and has cultivated a strong bond with the eight-times Wimbledon winner.
She even broke royal protocol in 2017 and planted three kisses on his cheeks as she congratulated the sportsman, who has given her son Prince George tennis lessons, for winning the tournament for the eighth time, while the Prince of Wales and Federer’s wife Mirka watched on.
The playful friendship extends beyond the court, with Kate and Roger working on several projects together and both starring in a video highlighting the work of ball boys and girls in late June, where the royal put the tennis star through his paces.
4. Deborah Jevans
The British former tennis player Ms Jevans CBE has been at the hallowed location numerous times, as a former junior Wimbledon champion
As Chair of the AELTC, Deborah Jevans was sat front and centre of the Royal Box.
The British former tennis player Ms Jevans CBE has been at the hallowed location numerous times, as a former junior Wimbledon champion.
She also played ten times in the women’s singles (between 1979 and 1983). Her best result was reaching the fourth round, when she lost to fifth-seeded Virginia Wade.
Ms Jevans also played in the doubles event, reaching the quarter finals of the mixed doubles event in 1978, playing with her future husband and Wimbledon referee Andrew Jarrett.
She became the first chairwoman of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Board in 2023, succeeding Ian Hewitt.
In 2013, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours due to her services to Sport and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when she served as director of sports for the event.
5. The Duchess of Gloucester
She has been an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for at least 25 years and regularly attends Wimbledon
The Danish-born Duchess, who was Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen before marrying Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester in 1972, is a huge tennis fan.
She has been an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for at least 25 years and regularly attends Wimbledon.
Brigitte, 80, married the Duke of Gloucester on July 8, 1972 at St Andrew’s Church in Barnwell, Northamptonshire.
Her husband was born Prince Richard of Gloucester and met his Danish future wife when she was studying at the Bell School of Languages, at Cambridge University, in 1965.
He was working as an architect but cut his career short when his older brother Prince William of Gloucester tragically died in a plane crash seven weeks after their marriage.
Richard then became the heir to his father, Henry, Duke of Gloucester – one of George VI’s brothers.
Prince Richard and Birgitte had not expected to embark on a life of duty but did so after their marriage when he became the heir.
They have spent 50 years as working royals and visited charities and organisations carrying out hundreds of engagements together for sectors such as humanitarian issues, the environment and veterans.
6. Lady Sarah Keswick
Lady Sarah Keswick, 80, is a close friend of Queen Camilla – being one of her six royal companions – and King Charles
Lady Sarah Keswick, 80, is a close friend of Queen Camilla – being one of her six royal companions – and King Charles.
The royal couple enjoyed spending time with Lady Sarah and her late husband, Sir John Chippendale ‘Chips’ Lindley Keswick, who passed away in 2024.
From 2013 until his retirement in 2020, Chips was chairman of Arsenal Football Club.
Lady Sarah appears to be a sports fan herself and was spotted at Wimbledon with Camilla in June 2011.
The pair sat in the royal box to get ready for a day of action on Centre Court, while the late TV legend Bruce Forsyth appeared to join them.
The mother-of-three shares three sons, David, Tobias and Adam, with Chips.
Lady Sarah is the daughter of former Conservative MP and 16th Earl of Dalhousie Simon Ramsay.
During his five years in Parliament from 1945 until 1950, when he assumed the title of Earl of Dalhousie from his late brother, Simon did a stint as Conservative whip.
7. & 8. James Norton and his sister Jessica
The TV star, 40 – who is rumoured to be the next James Bond – recently showed his glucose monitor and insulin pump after completing his first London Marathon to raise funds for diabetes charity, Breakthrough T1D
He’s known to enjoy tennis – so it’s no wonder James Norton was, for yet another year, in the stands, with his sister Jessica.
The TV star, 40 – who is rumoured to be the next James Bond – recently showed his glucose monitor and insulin pump after completing his first London Marathon to raise funds for diabetes charity, Breakthrough T1D.
The actor managed to raise an incredible £132,000 for the cause, which is close to his heart following his own diagnosis of type 1 diabetes aged 22, while his mother and sister also have the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is a life-long autoimmune disease that causes the level of glucose in your blood to become too high, which happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin.
This is controlled by daily injections of insulin which keeps the blood glucose levels low and under control.
Ahead of the race, James admitted that he’d never run a marathon before and that running 26 miles ‘seemed like a crazy idea’.
However, the Happy Valley star successfully completed the intense race in an impressive 4 hours and 29 minutes and took to his Instagram to celebrate his achievement.
9. Ncuti Gatwa
Dr Who star Ncuti Gatwa, 33, was dapper in a grey suit in the royal box this afternoon
Dr Who star Ncuti Gatwa, 33, was dapper in a grey suit in the royal box this afternoon, as he sat alongside Sex Education makeup artist Emily Bilverstone.
He became the first Black actor to lead the BBC show and was hailed for bringing fresh energy to the Time Lord – but after two series, announced that he was leaving.
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg last year, the actor said: ‘I’m getting old, and my body was tired…
‘And I’ve now just started doing some ballet, so I’m making really great decisions.’
He also admitted the demands of Doctor Who left him drained ‘physically, emotionally, mentally’.
However, he described the role as ‘the most amazing job in the world’ and said ‘never say never’ when asked if he could return in the future.
He also starred as Jeffrey in the 2025 remake of The War of the Roses (1989) and is set to play British fashion journalist Michael Roberts, in an upcoming film called The Queen of Fashion.
The actor has also recently hosted the British Saturday Night Live (SNL) finale.
10. & 11. Sir Lloyd and Lady Dorfman
Known for his impeccably sharp suits as well as his philanthropy, Travelex founder Sir Lloyd Dorfman, 73, has been influential for decades
Known for his impeccably sharp suits as well as his philanthropy, Travelex founder Sir Lloyd Dorfman, 73, has been influential for decades.
He has been married – for more than 50 years – to Sarah Dorfman, once governor of the Royal Ballet School.
They are passionate patrons of the arts – and are friends with the royals. It’s perhaps no wonder that the couple, who were spotted at Wimbledon today, also recently made Tatler’s 2026 Social Power Index.
Earlier this year, Charles also agreed to become patron of the Community Security Trust, the national charity which combats anti-Semitism – of which Sir Lloyd is deputy chairman.
‘And now we have a day like this – it means so much to everyone,’ he shared.
In May, the couple also joined the King in the Royal Box as new stage curtains featuring his royal cypher were unveiled.
12. David Harewood
Homeland actor David Harewood, 60, was sophisticated in a charcoal blazer and trousers for day eight of Wimbledon
Homeland actor David Harewood, 60, was sophisticated in a charcoal blazer and trousers for day eight of Wimbledon.
The star has for decades been praised for his work in the arts, and was last year hailed for his ‘captivating’ return to the stage to reprise his iconic role as Shakespeare’s Othello.
He was joined by a star-studded cast including The Mr Bates vs The Post Office star Toby Jones, 60, who played his antagonist Iago at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
For David, this was his second go at the role, having previously been the first Black actor to play the part at the National Theatre in 1997.
The actor suffered from a psychotic breakdown at 23, which critics say he may have drawn from to recreate Othello’s composed nature that collapses into murder and madness driven by jealousy.
The duo were praised for their ‘stellar performance’, with David branded ‘captivating’ by critics who also have praised Toby as a ‘gleefully malicious Iago’.
13. Lenny Henry
Day eight of Wimbledon also welcomed Sir Lenny, 67, and his partner, theatre casting director and producer Lisa Makin, 62
Day eight of Wimbledon also welcomed Sir Lenny, 67, and his partner, theatre casting director and producer Lisa Makin, 62.
Lisa looked lovely in the Wimbledon colours of white and green, teaming a pair of striped trousers with a floral print long jacket.
Sir Lenny was as dapper as ever in a chocolate-coloured suit as the couple happily posed for photos before heading to Centre Court.
The happy couple started dating in 2012 after Sir Lenny split from Dawn French, his wife of 25 years in 2010.
They met when Lenny was starring in a production of Shakespeare’s Othello but the comedian was recently grilled about why he hasn’t popped the question after so many years together.
During an April appearance on Channel 4 show The Assembly, Lenny gushed about how he and Lisa first bonded over cups of tea only for an interviewer to ask:
‘Why haven’t you put a ring on it then?’
Letting out a groan, Lenny bent forward in his chair and placed his hands over his face, before responding: ‘Have you been talking to her?’
14. Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a legend in the world of tennis – she was the former world number one player and has won 39 Grand Slam Titles
Billie Jean King is a legend in the world of tennis – she was the former world number one player and has won 39 Grand Slam Titles.
She is perhaps best known for her 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’, where she secured a victory against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, then herself aged 29.
King is the founder of Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation – and has a Cup named after her.
15. Alessia Russo
The Lioness player, who was part of the team who took England to victory at Euro 2025, opted for a stylish white look which she paired with sleek sunglasses amid the warm summer weather
Football star Alessia Russo brought her brother Luca along to Wimbledon today, with the acclaimed athlete enjoying the action from the prestigious royal box.
The Lioness player, who was part of the team who took England to victory at Euro 2025, opted for a stylish white look which she paired with sleek sunglasses amid the warm summer weather.
Alessia, 27, is a firm Wimbledon fan and is often seen in attendance at the annual tennis championships. She previously disclosed she would have loved to experience lifting the Wimbledon trophy herself had she not entered into professional football.
16. Mustafa Suleyman
Mr Suleyman, 41, is best known publicly for co-founding both DeepMind and Inflection AI, and serves as a leading British artificial intelligence entrepreneur who has fronted Microsoft’s new AI division since 2024
Mustafa Suleyman CBE, CEO of Microsoft AI, was another prominent figure sat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon today.
Mr Suleyman, 41, is best known publicly for co-founding both DeepMind and Inflection AI, and serves as a leading British artificial intelligence entrepreneur who has fronted Microsoft’s new AI division since 2024.
He continues to serve as a vocal advocate for AI accountability and the potential limits required, and was named in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI in both 2023 and 2024.
17. Francesco Ricci Bitti
The former tennis player and Italian sports administrator has presided over the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations since 2013 and is widely considered a major figure in global tennis
As President of the International Tennis Federation, Francesco Ricci Bitti took a key position in Wimbledon’s Royal Box today.
The former tennis player and Italian sports administrator has presided over the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations since 2013 and is widely considered a major figure in global tennis.
Mr Bitti, 84, also holds a royal connection, having previously been pictured sat alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales at the London 2012 Olympic Games, alongside at numerous Wimbledon matches.
18. Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Italian racing driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived at Wimbledon’s Royal Box just one day after appearing at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he suffered a mechanical failure which likely cost him a victory
Italian racing driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived at Wimbledon’s Royal Box just one day after appearing at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where he suffered a mechanical failure which likely cost him a victory.
The 19-year-old sportsman, who competes for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team, opted for a blazer over a casual dark t-shirt for todays tennis championships, alongside a silver chain necklace.
After a stellar junior career, including titles in Italian F4 and Formula Regional European, Antonelli made his F1 debut in 2025. Known for his speed and determination, he partners with George Russell, aiming to make a significant impact on the sport.
19. Tom Ilube
In May 2024, he was appointed as Chair of the Kings Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust, to help oversee the charity’s strategic direction
Former chairman of the Rugby Football Union, Thomas IIube is widely respected among global sports figures for serving as the first black chair of a major sport in England.
In May 2024, he was appointed as Chair of the Kings Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust, to help oversee the charity’s strategic direction.
Alongside his royal endeavours, Mr IIube, 63, sits on the board as a non-executive director of WPP and has previously founded numerous technology businesses.
20. Rain Newton-Smith
She took up the position following the high-profile dismissal of Tony Danker in April 2023 following complaints of misconduct, and is the daughter of Oxford philosopher William Newton-Smith
Also taking her seat in the Royal Box today was chief executive of the business lobby group, Rain Newton-Smith.
She took up the position following the high-profile dismissal of Tony Danker in April 2023 following complaints of misconduct, and is the daughter of Oxford philosopher William Newton-Smith.
Prior to this Ms Newton-Smith, 51, served as Managing Director, Strategy and Policy, Sustainability and ESG at Barclays.
21. Roger Taylor
As Britain’s No.1 player, and a two-time US Open Doubles champion, Mr Taylor, 84, has been firmly solidified as one of the nation’s most successful tennis players
Former Tennis player Roger Taylor is certainly no stranger to SW19, having reached the Wimbledon men’s singles semi-finals three times: n 1967, 1970 and 1973.
As Britain’s No.1 player, and a two-time US Open Doubles champion, Mr Taylor, 84, has been firmly solidified as one of the nation’s most successful tennis players.
Author of autobiography ‘The Man Who Saved Wimbledon’, Mr Taylor MBE proudly took his seat in the Royal Box for the eighth day of the sporting tournament.
22. David Haggerty
David Haggerty – who has been the President of the International Tennis Federation since 2015 – attended Wimbledon with his wife Liz today.
He has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee for four years, as well as being a board member for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
It’s not the first time the pair have been spotted at the event – as they are, for obvious reasons, tennis fans!
23. Roy Colabawalla
Roy Colabawalla is the Corporate Partner at Sydney Mitchell LLP and President of the Lawn Tennis Association.
The Sydney Mitchell partner was appointed youngest president in Lawn Tennis Association history earlier this year.
Yousef Al-Obaidly
As a prominent figure in the sporting world who was named among the top ten sports influencers in 2020, Mr Yousef Al-Obaidly sat proudly in the royal box at SW19 today.
Mr Al-Obaidly, 45, serves as CEO of sports, entertainment and media organisation at beIN Media Group, who last month announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with The All England Lawn Tennis Club.
The global sports, entertainment and media group now hold exclusive broadcasting rights to The Championships across 24 territories in the Middle East and North Africa, with Mr Al-Obaidly at the forefront of leading the coverage.
Sandi Procter
The Lawn Tennis Association’s President Sandi Procter was also spotted happily watching the Wimbledon action today.
Sandi was the second female president of the LTA.
The tennis fan previously worked as a PE teacher before becoming a coach. She was working as the manager of Bromley Tennis Centre when US Open winner Emma Raducau was based there.
Mark Precious
Another athlete sitting in one of the sought after spots in the Royal Box today was Mark Precious, a former student at University College in Oxford.
The former field hockey player won the bronze medal with the British team at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Brian Vahaly
Brian Vahaly is the former world 57 in tennis, reaching his career high in March 2003.
The sporting star, 44, began playing tennis at just the age of two with his parents. Clearly the practice paid off, and he claimed wins against the likes of Juan Carlos Ferrero, Michael Chang and Fernando Gonzalez.
In 2017, he came out as gay, a decade after he was forced to retire due to a shoulder injury. He had been dating a woman for two years while on the ATP tour.
The following year, he was described as a ‘gay tennis trailblazer’ by The Telegraph, due to very few players in the sport being openly out.
Vahaly is happily married to his husband Bill, and the two are raising twin boys, Parker and Bennett.
He told The Telegraph previously: ‘My exposure to the gay community had always been very limited and what I knew of it I didn’t connect to. Until I retired I just didn’t allow myself to explore my sexuality.
‘No one would have known what to do with me. It could have potentially impacted sponsorships.’
He added: ‘I heard homophobic comments all the time in the locker room – to my face, behind my back. That was just a part of the culture.’
Ross Hutchins
Former British tennis player Ross Hutchins, 41, is best known as a doubles player, who went on to achieve a highest doubles ranking of 2026 in February 2012.
In 2014, he returned to the sport after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a course of chemotherapy.
Anthony Clake
Anthony Clake is a hedge fund manager with a passion for shipwreck treasure hunting – and is also a producer of the 2024 documentary, Endurance, exploring Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 attempt to cross Antarctica.
Tony Godsick
Best known for being Roger Federer’s agent, Tony Godsick was among the VIPs seated at the Royal Box today.
Mark Nicholas
English cricket commentator Mark Nicholas played for Hampshire from 1978 to 1995, and was captain from 1985 until his retirement.
In October 2023, he succeeded Stephen Fry as president of Marylebone Cricket Club, proprietors of Lord’s Cricket Ground, before going on to take on the role as Chairman.
Chris Gorringe
The former Chief Executive of All England Lawn Tennis Club, Chris Gorringe was the man at the helm of the Championships for 26 years, and has authored a book about his experiences, titled Holding Court. Nicknamed ‘Clockwork Gorringe’, according to the autobiography, he had dealt with ‘everything from the 1973 players’ boycott, the McEnroe tantrums, and Middle Sunday, to the demands for equal prize money and the Olympic bid’.
Brian Hainline
Brian Hainline was once the chief medical officer of the United States Tennis Association – but is now a medical researcher, and works with the National Collegiate Athletic Association over in the US.
Julie Wych
Julie Wych serves on the LTA Board for Cambridgeshire tennis, having served the position as an LTA councillor for the region since 2023.
An avid tennis fan and player, Ms Wych seeks to advocate for local tennis opportunities.
Simon Jones
Former professional tennis player Simon Jones played at the Wimbledon Men’s Singles qualifying tournament in 1984, before taking on the role of LTA National Coach in 1990.
He now serves as Head of Performance Coach Education at the Lawn Tennis Association.
Bruce Weatherhill
Bruce Weatherhill serves as both director of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation, a position which he took on in 2020.
Previously, he served as a partner in PwC for over 20 years.
Chris Harrop
Previously Bain & Company advisor partner and company veteran, Chris Harrop is a self-proclaimed ‘tennis nut; who took on the role as chair of Tennis Australia at the end of last year, succeeding Jayne Hrdlicka.
Within his role, he seeks to help build participation and support for tennis across Australia.
