If Kate Middleton Misses Wimbledon, Officials May Tap This Royal Family Member for Top Job

As patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the Princess of Wales traditionally hands out trophies to the tennis tournament's winners

While Kate Middleton's Wimbledon plans this year remain unclear, the tennis tournament has reportedly "earmarked" another member of the royal family to distribute trophies in her stead.

On July 8, The Telegraph reported that Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester may present trophies at the finals this weekend if Princess Kate, who is continuing to undergo treatment for cancer, is unavailable. As patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a royal role she received from Queen Elizabeth in 2016, Princess Kate wears a special bow pin to Wimbledon in the club’s colors (dark green and purple) and traditionally presents prizes to the champions.

The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, is married to Queen Elizabeth's first cousin Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester.

Like Kate, Birgitte is an avid tennis fan with a related patronage. The Duchess of Gloucester has been an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for 25 years, supporting the governing body for tennis in Great Britain. This year, the Duchess of Gloucester has attended the tennis tournament twice since the competition began on July 1.

She is a full-time working member of the royal family and recently made royal history with her investiture as a Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, becoming the first non-blood royal who is not married to the monarch or the heir to the throne to be appointed to the position.

Related: Kate Middleton Sends Surprise Personal Message to Andy Murray as His 'Incredible Wimbledon Career' Ends

Dedicated tennis player Princess Kate has attended Wimbledon every year since she married Prince William in 2011, except for the 2013 matches shortly before the birth of Prince George.

The update on the awards ceremony comes after All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport last month that they would give the Princess of Wales, 42, "as much flexibility as possible" regarding the possibility of trophy presentation amid her cancer treatment.

"We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority," Jevans told the outlet in a piece published on June 27. "We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible."

Telegraph Sport previously reported that the decision on who will present the trophies may not be made until the morning of the finals.

Related: Kate Middleton’s Parents Attend Wimbledon as Organizers Still Hope She'll Continue Tournament Tradition amid Cancer Treatment

Princess Kate made her first and only public appearance this year at Trooping the Colour on June 15, joining her family for King Charles' official birthday parade in London.

The Princess of Wales revealed her plans to attend Trooping in a personal letter released the day prior, in a message significant as the first update on her health since she announced on March 22 that she has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.

"I’m looking forward to attending the King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet," the Princess of Wales said in part. "I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body and allowing myself to take this much-needed time to heal."

Princess Kate spoke openly about her experience with chemotherapy in the letter, describing the difference between "good days" and "bad days."

"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well," she said.

"My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months," she added of what's ahead. "On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."

No decisions have been made about what future engagements the royal might make in the coming weeks. Any upcoming outings will be based on when Princess Kate feels able and with the support of her medical team.

Wimbledon has long been a highlight on the Princess of Wales' summer calendar, and she attended three days of the tournament in July 2023. The Princess of Wales presented the trophies at the Women's Singles Final and Men's Singles Final last summer, the latter of which she watched from the Royal Box with Prince William, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 9.

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Princess Kate's parents Carole and Michael Middleton attended Wimbledon on July 4, and the royal hinted that she's following the Grand Slam championship from home in a rare social media message on July 6.

Over the weekend, Princess Kate penned a message for Andy Murray after his Wimbledon career came to a close after his mixed doubles partner Emma Raducanu withdrew due to wrist soreness.

"An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andymurray. On behalf of all of us, thank you!" the Princess of Wales wrote on social media on July 6 in a message shared to the official Instagram and X accounts she shares with Prince William. She signed the note "C" for Catherine, the shorthand signaling that the note came directly from her.

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