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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Antony Thrower

Kate Middleton and Prince William beam as they take George on first Wimbledon visit

Today’s Wimbledon men’s final has the royal seal of approval as the smiling Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived to watch the action, with young Prince George in tow making his SW19 debut.

Kate Middleton, patron of the All England Club, watched yesterday’s ladies final between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina alone as she cheered from the Royal Box with Hollywood royalty, Tom Cruise.

Today she has been joined at SW19 by sports mad Prince William and her eldest son to see if Novak Djokovic can defend his Wimbledon crown or if Aussie bad boy Nick Krygios can take his maiden title.

Prince George is at his first Wimbledon, looking smart as he is shown the ropes by mum and dad (REUTERS)

Ahead of the match Prince George, eight, was introduced to a group of military personnel working as stewards and confirmed today is his first time at the world famous tournament.

During their chat mum Kate gently asked him if it was his first time, to which the future king replied: "Yes."

George looked suited and booted for the occasion, wearing a smart dark blue suit to match his mother's outfit for the final.

The royal couple wave to the crowds - with shy George not so sure (REUTERS)

After meeting the stewards at the championship - Lt Col Lucy Smith, deputy assistant commissioner Philip Morton, Lt Commander Chris Boucher and Sergeant Jacquie Crook, Kate explained to George the crucial role they play.

She said: "They look after everybody to make sure the crowds are safe and happy, doing the right thing, in the right seats, making sure the grounds are safe."

George grins at his dad as the two future kings get set to enjoy the action (REUTERS)

When asked where Princess Charlotte was, Kate replied: "It's George's treat today."

George was also asked who he wanted to win today and appeared too shy to answer so William looked at him and whispered: "Djokovic".

The duke added: "We'll see how long it lasts. He'll support the winner."

The royals are shown to their seats in the Royal Box (Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

Afterwards the royals then met Dylan Mulvey, 13, from Wandsworth, who will do the coin toss as well as ball boys and girls Syed Arez, Dior Knorr and Amy Granger.

Dylan said afterwards: "I knew I was just going to make my family really proud of me and that it was going to be an amazing experience.

On meeting the royals, he added: "It was good, it was really interesting, nice conversation. They were really nice people."

The father and son were all smiles ahead of the final (Getty Images)

Amy added: "Seeing the royals has been amazing.

"It was really cool. I was quite nervous. They were really really nice, asked lots of questions.

"They asked us about our training and how we had to get to this stage and had we found it fun."

Prince George was seen pulling faces as the action got under way (WireImage)

The couple's official Twitter account said: "Off to the Wimbledon Men’s Singles final!

"It’s going to be a hot one!"

At the end of the final The duchess is expected to present the trophies to both the runner-up and the winner.

The Duke explains what is going on in the court to his young son (AFP via Getty Images)

Future king Prince George is known to be a keen tennis fan and has been having lessons on the court since he was five.

Roger Federer- eight time king of Wimbledon - previously revealed he has given Prince George private lessons - and the youngster has talent with a racquet.

He said: "At that stage it's all about just touch the ball, it's already good."

The royals chat to Dylan Mulvey (13) who performed the coin flip (PA)

Kate seemed to enjoy finals day at the Championships on Saturday as, ahead of the action, she met with future stars of tomorrow as well as those who work behind the scenes of the tournament.

After watching Rybakina take the title in three gripping sets she praised both players’ efforts as they battled in hot conditions.

The family met ball boys and girls Syed Are, Dior Knorr and Amy Grange (PA)

She tweeted afterwards said: “What a final! Congratulations Elena Rybakina and commiserations Ons Jabeur. A beautiful day for a brilliant match.

Congratulations to both players but also to all the unsung heroes that make this tournament what it is.

The family cross the Millennium Bridge (PA)

“Wimbledon you make us proud each and every year!”

Earlier this week the couple were seen on No 1. Court cheering on Cameron Norrie in his quarter final victory over Belgian David Goffin.

The family walking across the bridge on their way into Wimbledon for the final (PA)

During the tense match Prince William seemed to be caught on camera swearing as a point for the Brit went awry.

Viewers claimed they saw him saying “no, no, no, f***' in the crowd.

The Duchess waves at those below as the royal couple arrived (Phil Harris)

As Norrie was seen wheeling away in frustration after slipping up in his own service game, the BBC coverage cut to an equally annoyed Duke.

He shook his head from side to side before seemingly uttering the expletive as he straightened his tie.

South Africa-born Norrie dug deep to come from behind and eventually beat his opponent and set up a semi-final meeting with World No3 Novak Djokovic.

The family wave hello to those below (WireImage)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the Wimbledon men's final (PA)

The royal couple missed Norrie’s semi final defeat against the Serbian six-time Wimbledon champion.

The Duchess was due to take her seat on Centre Court on Thursday but had to pull out as it was her children’s last day of school ahead of the summer break.

Ahead of today's final Djokovic said he was happy to see Kyrgios after the Australian was given a walkover when Spaniard Rafael Nadal pulled out ahead of the semis due to an abdominal injury.

Proud mum Kate guides son Prince George towards the entrance (GC Images)
The Duchess places a loving arm across her son's shoulders (GC Images)

Kyrgios had not been beyond the fourth round at a grand slam for seven years prior to this tournament.

Djokovic said: "I think, between us players, we always know how dangerous he is, on grass particularly, because of his game, because of his attitude on the court being so confident, just going for it, being a very complete player."

The two players pose ahead of the final (PA)

Kyrgios also spoke about Djokovic in a press conference after Nadal's withdrawal, in which he said has developed a "bromance" with the defending champion over the last few months.

He added: "You'll never probably see anyone who just wins and just plays the game just so good as a winner than Djokovic."

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