Kate Middleton’s Parents Keep Family Wimbledon Tradition Going

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, is almost as expected at Wimbledon as a cold Pimm’s Cup. This year, however, as she undergoes treatment for cancer, Kate hasn’t yet attended the tournament. Instead, her parents attended day four of the legendary Grand Slam tournament.

Carole and Michael Middleton stepped out on Thursday to take in the matches from the Royal Box at center court, dressed in their summery best. Carole donned a Cefinn midi-length dress with a colorful overall floral print, topped with a cropped cream blazer with puffed shoulders. She completed the look with brown suede heels, drop earrings, and orange-framed sunglasses. For his part, Michael wore a navy suit, light blue shirt, patterned yellow tie, and black sunglasses.

Kate, who made her first official public appearance of the year in June at birthday festivities for King Charles III, Trooping the Colour, has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the tournament’s presenter, since 2016 and in the past has presented trophies to the tournament’s winners. Last year, longtime tennis fan (and player) Kate watched alongside retired tennis great Roger Federer, an eight-time men’s champion at Wimbledon, and was among the crowd giving him a standing ovation when he arrived in the Royal Box to join her.

In late June, All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport that the organization was hopeful that the princess would be able to attend this year and that they would give her “as much flexibility as possible” to help make it happen.

“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans told the outlet. “We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.

Reportedly, the decision could be made as late as the morning of the men’s and women’s final matches, slated for July 13 and 14.

“I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative,” Jevans said. “That’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary. We’re staying flexible. When we hear we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”

Indeed, Kate confirmed that she would attend Trooping the Colour less than 24 hours before the event was set to start. In her message sharing the schedule update, she said that she hoped “to join a few public engagements over the summer,” and acknowledged that “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired, and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”

Kensington Palace did not immediately return Vanity Fair’s request for comment.