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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Antony Thrower

Kate Middleton vibrant in yellow for Wimbledon final - as she sends Norrie sweet message

Kate Middleton has arrived for the ladies’ singles final at Wimbledon today after being forced to miss the men’s semi-final yesterday.

The tennis-loving royal, 40, was earlier this week spotted at the All England Club with Prince William on Wednesday for the quarter finals.

The mum of three is set to watch today’s final between Tunisian Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan from the Royal Box.

The Duchess of Cambridge, wearing a yellow Roksanda dress, arrived in plenty of time for the 2pm final start and waved hello to her supporters.

She was scheduled to watch Cam Norrie’s semi-final defeat to Novak Djokovic on Friday but was forced to give up her seat as she did not want to miss Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s last days at school.

Kate waves at her supporters as she arrives at the All England Club (WireImage)
The Duchess is joined by AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt (PA)

But she will be front and centre for today’s match between the third and seventeenth seeds, alongside the likes of Hollywood's Tom Cruise.

Ahead of the action, the Duchess met with several special guests as well as those working behind the scenes to deliver the Championships.

Among them were Rachel Williams, guest services host and Dave Tulloch, estate management support services, who were chosen ahead of the meet and greet for going above and beyond in delivering great guest experience.

Kate told them: "What an amazing event to be a part of."

(REUTERS)

She was also introduced to 13-year-old Gabia Sakaviciute, who was nominated by Jigsaw4U for her care of her family and neighbours during the pandemic, as well as Edward Roberts, who designed the Queen's platinum Jubilee emblem.

Gabia later said the Duchess had been "really sweet" and a "kind person".

She added: "I'm surprised what a normal chat it was."

The Duchess leans forward for a better view of the action (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)
Tennis fan and Hollywood star Tom Cruise joined Kate in the Royal Box (Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)

There was also time to meet the future stars of tomorrow as Great Britain's Isabelle Britton, 14, and the USA's Carel Ngounoue, 13, - semi-finalists in the inaugural 14 and under junior championships - said hello.

The group could be heard talking about British number one Cameron Norrie's loss in the semi-final on Friday, with Kate saying: "He had such a good game, he really did."

Afterwards, the youngsters said they also talked with Kate about their experience playing at Wimbledon and she congratulated them on getting so far.

The VIPs look on during the final between Ons Jabeur and Elena Rybakina (PA)

Carel said: "She asked us how our experience was here and if we're hoping to play here when we get older - like the actual competition.

"It's definitely an honour to meet her, it's great to have this opportunity to meet someone so important."

Isabelle added: "She was saying that it was good we were getting this far, that it's a really good experience for the future as well."

The Duchess with Gabia Sakaviciute, 13, and Edward Roberts, 19 (PA)

Also excitedly looking forward to meeting the Duchess is finalist Elana Rybakina.

She said ahead of the final: "It's an honour and I'm going to be very excited for this moment no matter if I win or lose. I think it's just something to remember and it's going to be amazing."

On Tuesday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said on their official Twitter account: “What a day of tennis!

The Duchess meets Isabelle Britton and Carel Ngounoue, semi-finalists n the inaugural 14 & U Junior Championships (PA)

"Fantastic to be back @Wimbledon today and wonderful to see @Cam_Norrie flying the flag in the singles!”

During their visit the the royal couple weren't sitting next to Kate's parents, who appeared to be located elsewhere in the box.

But that didn't stop Kate from blowing a sweet kiss towards her mum and dad with her face lighting up when she managed to clock them in their seats.

Ahead of the match she also met with Rachel Williams, guest services host and Dave Tulloch, estate management support services (PA)

TV cameras spotted her blowing the kiss and waving, saying hello after she looked around the box trying to find them.

While she, and the rest of the nation, were no doubt gutted to see Cam Norrie lose in four sets on Friday, the Duchess looked excited for today's final as she arrived.

Kate became the royal patron of Wimbledon in 2016 when she replaced no less than the Queen in the role.

The Duchess was earlier greeted as she arrived (GC Images)
She is wearing a stunning full-length yellow dress (GC Images)

Before taking on the role she was already a massive tennis fan.

In 2017 during an appearance on BBC documentary, Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon, Kate shared a “mortifying” moment at the All England Club with her father and a former British great.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia is in action against Elena Rybakina (Getty Images)

She said Sue: "My father is not going to appreciate this but we were walking past Tim Henman and we had just seen Sampras play. My dad said very coolly, 'Hi Pete'. I was mortified.

"I have watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up. It's such a quintessential part of the English summer, and I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game.

The Duchess was joined by the Duke of Cambridge in the Royal Box on Wednesday (PA)

“It hasn't changed either, I think that's what's so wonderful."

Luckily Kate wasn't too embarrassed as last year, it was her dad who accompanied her to the final day of the tournament, where they were both seen taking part in a Mexican wave.

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