The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton could attend Wimbledon this year after officials said they were ‘hopeful’ of her presenting trophies to the champions.
According to the report by Daily Mail, all England Club Chair Debbie Jevans said they would give Kate Middleton ‘as much flexibility as possible’ as she continues treatment for cancer, including postponing finding a replacement.
The princess, who is a keen player herself, has been patron of the AELTC since 2016.
Traditionally she presents the trophies each year, as well as attending several matches during the tournament.
She is not currently undertaking official duties due to her ongoing preventative chemotherapy treatment, after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year.
However she did attend Trooping the Colour two weeks ago and in a statement said that while she was not ready to return to work full-time, she hoped to join ‘a few public engagements over the summer’.
Kensington Palace have said they will not confirm anything until much nearer the time due to the uncertainty around her treatment.
Speaking about this year’s world-famous championships, which begin on Monday, Telegraph Sport quoted Ms Jevans as saying:
‘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. 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.
‘I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative – 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.’
Kensington Palace aides are not confirming any future engagements and stressed that, as the princess herself said, she has ‘good days and not so good days’. A source added: ‘Anything at this stage is speculative.’
In a personally penned message earlier this month, the princess candidly admitted her progress was good but that she is ‘not out of the woods yet.
‘As anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months… I…hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
‘I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. ‘
The royal trophy presentation is seen as a hugely important tradition at Wimbledon and having the princess present it would be a huge coup for the AELTC.
Although the club has not formalised alternative plans for the trophy presentation, its options would include another member of the Royal Family or even Jevans herself, as chair of the club and former player at Wimbledon.
Ten royals have presented the Wimbledon trophies since Prince George – later King George V – became the club’s first president in 1907.
The then Duchess of Cambridge took the role of patron from Queen Elizabeth II, who served from 1952 to 2016 and presented the trophies on several occasions.