Many fans remember the Princess of Wales when she attended the 2021 Wimbledon Championships and assume she presented both singles 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 served as president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for more than five decades, made one of his last appearances in the role before stepping down later that year after 52 years of service.
As patron of the All England Club (she officially took over from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016), the Princess of Wales performed trophy duties that day, but only for the ladies’ singles final.
Catherine presented Australia’s 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 stepped down as president, the Princess of Wales became the royal to traditionally present the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy, a role she has filled at the subsequent championships each time she has attended.
The difference may seem small, but it is an important transition in the Wimbledon tradition that bridged the Duke of Kent’s remarkable 52-year tenure with Kate’s growing role.
