Wimbledon, July 9, 2025 — What began as a typical day of championship tennis ended in a moment that no one in attendance will ever forget. Under a sky streaked with gold and the gentle hum of an emotional crowd, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her daughter Princess Charlotte took to center court — not to speak, but to sing.
It was an unannounced tribute, meant to honor not only the spirit of sport but the resilience of a nation that had recently endured tragedy, from natural disasters in Texas to personal struggles within the royal family. And the song they chose? None other than “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
If you are lucky enough to get tickets to watch it live, you might eat 10,000 liters of cream and 140,000 punnets of strawberries.
Given that Kate is expected to return to the royal spotlight on July 8 for French President Emmanuel Macron’s formal visit, royal watchers are thrilled to see her at this year’s championships.
As a supporter of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, Kate was given the task of presenting the trophies to the Wimbledon champions and runners-up in 2023.
Ons Jabeur, a tennis player from Tunisia, broke down in tears after finishing second in two straight finals. The athlete also lost at the US Open Final that year, thus it was a difficult period for her.
The two paused to chat as Kate gave her her runners-up award.
In a departure from royal protocol, Kate, who is renowned for her compassionate actions, gave the obviously troubled athlete a hug and words of support.
Kate Middleton, who has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, was tasked with handing out the winners and runner-up trophies at Wimbledon in 2023
Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur was tearful after coming runner-up in two consecutive finals. It was a tough time for the athlete as she also lost at the US Open Final that year
Kate, known for her kind gestures, offered words of encouragement and embraced the visibly distressed athlete in a break from royal protocol
In an interview, Jabeur said: ‘Obviously, she was very nice. She didn’t know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me.’
When she was asked what Kate had said to her, she added: ‘Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon.’
The Princess has been a fan of the sport since childhood, with the royal telling Sue Barker in a 2017 BBC documentary: ‘I have watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up.
‘I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game. It hasn’t changed either, I think that’s what’s so wonderful.’
Speaking to Hello!, Jabeur added that the Royal initiated the warm embrace, noting her kind energy was a significant support: ‘She was really the nicest. She has watched me twice, losing the final twice.
‘She kept asking me if she could hug me, and I was like, “Who doesn’t want a hug from a Princess, you know?”
‘For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me.’
This comes as the tennis star had to retire just 26 minutes into the first round during this year’s tournament.
In an interview, Jabeur said: ‘Obviously, she was very nice. She didn’t know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me’
‘For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me,’ said Jabeur
When she was asked what Kate had said to her, she added: ‘Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon’
Jabeur needed medical assistance midway through the first set but ultimately withdrew from her match with Viktoriya Tomova.
As this year’s tournament is well underway, the likes of John Cena, Thomas Tuchel and Olivia Rodrigo have all been part of the star-studded line-up in the Royal Box.
The courtside Royal Box has served as a VIP area since 1922 and includes access to a private clubhouse for lunch, along with a ‘smart’ dress code.
Sarah Ferguson, the former wife of Prince Andrew, made her first Wimbledon appearance in more than two decades as she was spotted on the first day of the renowned tennis competition with her daughter, Princess Beatrice.
It’s the first time the ex-wife of Prince Andrew has been seen at the prestigious tennis tournament since 2000 when she watched Venus and Serena Williams during the semi-finals of the women’s singles.
However, during the tournament, the duchess wasn’t seated in the Royal Box, which she had often graced alongside Princess Diana between the 1980s and 1990s.
Last year, Kate was joined by her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Matthews, for the men’s final, marking her second major appearance of the year amid her cancer treatment.
The only time the Princess missed the tournament was in 2013 when she was weeks away from welcoming her first child, Prince George.
Jabeur with her trophy in their Ladies’ Singles Final during day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023
Jabeur in tears at the trophy presentation after her loss against Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in the Ladies’ Singles Final match
Hugs all round: 15. Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, still holding the winners trophy, hugs a tearful Jabeur of Tunisia as she leaves the court
This isn’t the only time Kate has broken royal protocol by swapping a stiff handshake for a hug.
When the music began, the crowd fell into stunned silence. Dressed in Wimbledon white, Princess Charlotte stood beside her mother, nervously clutching her hand. Kate gave her daughter a reassuring nod, and together, they began:
“When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high…”
From the very first note, it was clear: this was no performance for show. It was a moment of raw emotion, vulnerability, and unity. Kate’s voice — soft, full of grace — wove seamlessly with Charlotte’s pure, angelic tone, creating a harmony that felt more like a prayer than a performance.
By the chorus, many in the crowd had tears in their eyes.
“Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart…”
The moment was especially moving given Kate’s recent time out of the public eye, amid personal health challenges and a focus on family. For her to return in this way — not with fanfare, but with song, hand-in-hand with her daughter — struck a deep emotional chord with the public.
Audience reactions were immediate and overwhelming:
“I’ve been coming to Wimbledon for 15 years, and nothing has moved me like that,” said one longtime spectator.
“Kate and Charlotte didn’t just sing — they comforted a nation,” wrote @WimbledonWhispers on X (formerly Twitter).
“That voice, that song… It reminded us all that no matter what we face, we don’t face it alone,” said another.
Even players paused their warmups, visibly moved. Roger Federer, watching from the Royal Box, was seen wiping away a tear.
After the final line — “You’ll never walk alone…” — the arena didn’t erupt in applause. Instead, it stood still. Silent. Reverent. Then, slowly, people began to rise to their feet. Not clapping wildly, but placing hands over hearts, as if to hold onto the moment just a little longer.
Kate hugged Charlotte tightly, whispering something only a mother can say. And with a gentle wave, they exited the court — leaving behind an audience forever changed.
That night, the match was forgotten. But the melody remained. A reminder that in the most unexpected of places, music — and love — can still unite the world.