It’s double duch at Wimbledon
New champion delighted and surprised at receiving royal audience Williams loses out in bid to make history
Kate and Meghan join the stars at women’s final
Royal duchesses Meghan and Kate looked as if they were enjoying a love match yesterday as they watched the Wimbledon ladies’ singles final.
The two women, both 37, took prime position in the Royal Box as Meghan’s friend Serena Williams tried to win a 24th Grand Slam title.
But the American was beaten 6-2, 6- 2 as Simona Halep became the first Romanian to lift a Wimbledon singles title.
Meghan, dressed in a tennis whites- style blouse and pleated skirt, smiled as Serena collected the runners-up prize on centre court.
Miss Halep then collected the Venus Rosewater dish before going on to give a curtsy as she met the Duchess of Cambridge ridge.
The new cham mpion also had the two Ro oyals in stitches as s she told TV presenter r Clare Balding she e had not realised Kate would be watching.
She said: “That’s s amazing – I didn n’t know that, it is mo ore special now.”
Serena, a 37- ye earone, old mother of o had hoped to e end her two- year G ram Slam drought with h an historic victory. A win would have equa alled the singles record d set by Aaustralian Margaret Court in the 1970s. Meghan is a close friend of o Serena, who attended her h wedding to Prince Harry H last year.
The two duchesses seemed s to get on famously as they joked in the royal box an nd were joined by Kate’s you unger sister Pippa. Kate K had arrived early to atte end a lunch in her capacity as ppatron of the All England Law wn Tennis and Croquet Clu ub.
She S was also given advice on n growing strawberries by arion Regan, owner of ugh u Lowe Farms, the offial cia supplier of strawberries to the tournament, with the pair sharing gardening tips. Kate also spent several minutes speaking to a group of young female tennis players due to appear in a girls’ doubles semi-final.
The duchess, wearing a shortsleeved green Dolce and Gabana dress, then took her seat in the royal box wearing a green D& G frock.
The seats around centre court were packed with Poldark star Aidan Turner and actress Lily James among the celebrities in attendance.
Dr Who actress Jodie Whittaker was also there, as was outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May.
But the tennis action was over within an hour as Miss Halep quickly took a commanding lead and secured a straight sets victory.