The Royal Box is reserved for members of the Royal Family and indeed royal families – as on Day 8, HRH Prince Michael of Kent and HRH The Duchess of Gloucester were joined by HRH Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, who holds the title of protector of the Danish Tennis Federation – as well as distinguished guests from all walks of life invited by the All England Club Chairman Ian Hewitt.
With 10 Wimbledon titles between them, and representing the hottest talent du jour, the Centre Court line-up was an ensemble cast of charismatic players who are keeping interest levels in tennis at sky-high levels – language that will be familiar to one VIP spectator, The Lord King of Lothbury.
How useful for fellow guests to be in the company of the former Governor of the Bank of England (and former All England Club Committee member), whose mathematical agility must range from calculating all possible permutations of figures on the scoreboard to counting down the number of minutes before the serving of the Club's legendary Afternoon Tea.
Also from the world of high governance was The Rt Hon Stuart Andrew, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society, fresh from opening the refurbished public tennis courts in Preston Park, Brighton, where he expressed the hope the facilities could lead to “the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu” coming from the city.
‘The next’ followed by ‘Grand Slam champion’ are words that have often preceded the names of today’s Centre Court performers Ons Jabeur and Matteo Berrettini, who were due to take on two fan favourites in Petra Kvitova and Carlos Alcaraz in their respective matches.
Well placed to judge this catwalk of talent was Dame Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, whose services to fashion and publishing earned her Companion of Honour status this year.
From the world of supermodels to David Harewood’s realm in Supergirl, a drama series inspired by DC Comic books. In this, the tennis-loving actor played a superhero called J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, who can tap into all sorts of powers and had previously taken over the identity of a supervillain called Hank Henshaw who became Cyborg Superman.
Yup, we’re lost too, but there was a detectable swirl of dark forces at work on Centre Court when poor Beatriz Haddad Maia was forced to retire through injury – an event that none of Harewood’s best-intentioned theatrical superpowers could prevent.
Was a planet in retrograde? The Royal Box has hosted a notable number of astrophysicists and astronomy experts this week who could have answered that question, but scouring the rows of Lloyd Loom wicker chairs – and stopping briefly at Avril Palmer-Baunack, Executive Chair of the Constellation Automotive Group – no one from that branch of science was represented.
In line with the Club’s desire to recognise people who provide stellar public service and work for the public good, other guests included Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, Fellow of the Royal Society, who was honoured this year for his services to economics and the natural environment; Dr Krish Kandiah, Founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, who was awarded the OBE for services to refugee integration; and Sir Trevor Phillips, writer, broadcaster and former politician, who was honoured last year for services to equality and human rights.
Sport is a powerful platform for values of fairness and equality. Alongside high achievers in the world of golf – Clive Brown, Captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, and US Open winner Matthew Fitzpatrick – were Jennie Price, Chair of the International Tennis Integrity Agency, and various executives from the United States Tennis Association, from Queen's Club, the LTA and the AELTC itself.
New this year:
See the draw like never before, with interactive Path to the Final view of the draw by clicking a player’s name on the draws page
See the projected Path to the Final of every player in the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ singles draws with IBM Likely to Play
View how favourable or difficult a player's draw is, with IBM AI Draw
