Kate Middleton Takes Over Ceremonial Duties for the Queen at Wimbledon
Queen Elizabeth II is officially relinquishing her role as royal patron of Wimbledon and passing on her duties to granddaughter-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
The 90-year-old monarch had been a patron of more than 600 charities and organizations and is stepping down from 25. The queen has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), home of the Wimbledon tournament, since 1952.
After presenting the Venus Rosewater Dish trophy to Britain’s Virginia Wade in 1977 for winning the women’s singles title, she did not return to the Royal Box at the club for 33 years. In 2010, she watched as Britain’s Andy Murray defeated Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen on Centre Court.
“We would like to thank Her Majesty for her long and unwavering service to the club and the championships during her time as our patron. It was a great honor to welcome Her Majesty to Wimbledon in 2010, and we remain immensely proud of her role in the history of the club and the championships,” AELTC chairman Philip Brook said.
Middleton is an enthusiastic fan of tennis, having been a regular fixture in the Royal Box during Andy Murray’s matches, and has taken the time to Snapchat with world No. 1 Serena Williams, who captured her seventh career Wimbledon singles title this past July.
Brook added, “We would like to welcome Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge, who will take up the queen’s former duties as our patron, and also recognize with appreciation the ongoing contribution of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, who will continue his longstanding role as our president.”
Buckingham Palace also confirmed that Prince Harry is replacing the queen as the new patron of the Rugby Football Union, the governing body of English rugby, while his brother, Prince William, is expected to take over her duties with the Welsh Rugby Union.
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