The Princess of Wales reacts with humility and grace to crowd's touching tribute at 2025 Championships
Princess Catherine was visibly moved as she received a standing ovation during her highly anticipated appearance at Wimbledon 2025 — a moment that took even the future Queen by surprise.
As the Princess of Wales made her way to the Royal Box to watch the women's singles final on Saturday, the crowd rose to their feet in admiration, applauding her return to the iconic tournament. Serving as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Catherine looked both touched and slightly taken back by the public gesture.
According to expert lip-reader Nicola Hickling, the Princess turned to her companion and said, “Everyone is smiling and clapping, and I don't know what to say,” as reported by Hello! magazine. Her modest response was met with praise by fans who admired her humility and poise.
Catherine was in attendance to witness a gripping final between Poland's Iga Świątek and America's Amanda Anisimova. Following Świątek's dominant victory, the Princess fulfilled her ceremonial role by presenting the trophy on Center Court.
Kensington Palace later posted a congratulatory message to Świątek, celebrating her “brilliant victory.”
However, one of the most touching moments came after the match, when Catherine offered words of comfort to a tearful Anisimova. According to broadcaster Clare Balding, the Princess told the runner-up she should be “so proud” of her performance.
Anisimova later described the moment during a press conference, saying it was “such an honor” to meet the Princess of Wales — a sentiment that underscored the deep admiration many athletes hold for Catherine's role at Wimbledon.
With her signature elegance and heartfelt gestures, Princess Catherine once again left an indelible mark on the Championships — both as a royal figure and a symbol of grace under the spotlight.
