Many fans remember the Princess of Wales attending the 2021 Wimbledon Championships and assume she presented both individual trophies.
Although Catherine was on hand to witness Novak Djokovic’s sixth Wimbledon title following his four-set victory over Matteo Berrettini, the prestigious Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy was presented by the Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent, who had been president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for more than five decades, was making one of his last appearances in office before stepping down later that year after 52 years of service.
As patron of the All England Club (she officially replaced Queen Elizabeth II in 2016), the Princess of Wales fulfilled her trophy duties that day, but only for the women’s singles final.
Catherine presented Australian Ashleigh Barty with the Venus Rosewater Dish after Barty defeated Karolína Plíšková to become the first Australian woman in more than four decades to win the Wimbledon singles title.
After the Duke of Kent retired as President, the Princess of Wales became the royal who traditionally presents the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy, a role she has played in subsequent championships whenever she has attended.
The distinction may seem small, but it is a key transition in Wimbledon tradition that linked the Duke of Kent’s remarkable 52-year rule with Kate’s growing role.
