Prince George and Princess Charlotte joined their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales in Wimbledon’s royal box for the men’s final between reigning champion Novak Djokovic and world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
The two royal children, aged nine and eight, respectively, were expressive throughout the dramatic match as the cameras watched on, frequently gasping or holding their heads in their hands. George wore a navy suit and a striped tie; Charlotte a blue and white dress.
Their father, Prince William, wore a grey blazer with a blue shirt, while Princess Catherine donned a green dress, matching the grass surface of the Wimbledon court.
The youngest of William and Kate’s children, Prince Louis, was left at home.
“It’s Charlotte’s first time. George came last year,” Kate said, speaking to Wimbledon’s Young People and Families Coordinator, Ella Ottaway.
“They’ve been eagerly watching. Charlotte, you’ve been getting to grips with the scoring, haven’t you?
“Louis was very upset he wasn’t coming today.”
Kate, in her role as patron of the All England Club, was also present at the women’s final on Saturday, and made an appearance during week one to cheer on Brits Andy Murray and Katie Boulter.
That early visit to the tournament also included a tribute to eight-time champion Roger Federer, who joined Kate in the royal box.
In the women’s final, she watched unseeded player Marketa Vondrousova beat returning finalist Ons Jabeur, and was later seen comforting Jabeur after the presentation.
“She didn’t know if she wants to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me. That was a very nice moment and she’s always nice to me,” Jabeur said afterwards.
“She encouraged me to be strong, to come back and win a grand slam, win a Wimbledon. Obviously she was very nice.”
Upon arriving at Wimbledon on Sunday, William, Kate, George and Charlotte met with British servicemen and women, tournament staff, and ball boys and ball girls. The two children were given bags as souvenirs.
George and Charlotte stole the show with their expressive reactions after the family took its seats on Centre Court, where Djokovic was seeking an eighth Wimbledon title against the 20-year-old US Open champion.
The royals were joined in the stadium by a long list of high profile celebrities, including actors Brad Pitt, Ian McKellen, Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Emma Watson, Hugh Jackman, Idris Elba, Andrew Garfield, Tom Hiddleston, Lily James and Tessa Thompson. Musicians Cliff Richard, Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande were also there.
Djokovic roared to an easy win in the first set, with Alcaraz looking overawed by the occasion. But the young Spaniard recovered himself and edged the second in a tiebreak before blowing the 23-time grand slam winner way in the third.
Wisely, perhaps, Djokovic took an extended bathroom break before the start of the fourth set as he faced the prospect of needing to win two consecutive sets to retain his title. He managed just the one, with Alcaraz claiming the decider and his second grand slam title.