The Princess of Wales has made a surprise visit to this year's Wimbledon championships to throw her support behind a British hopeful.
Kate headed to Court 18, one of the outside courts, to watch Brit No 1 Katie Boulter, who is taking on Australia's Daria Saville in her first round match.
The princess wore a mint green Balmain blazer for her day out at the tennis, pairing it with a white skirt and white heels and a small white handbag.
After arriving at the tournament, she then took her seat on Court 18, in what promises to be an exciting second day of the tournament.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30385797.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Wimbledon-2023-Day-Two-All-England-Lawn-Tennis-and-Croquet-Club.jpg)
But her stint on Court 18 didn't last long as she was forced to take shelter under an umbrella and was seen leaving the court as rain stopped play. The match was suspended and the court covered because of the wet weather.
However, it wasn't long before the princess headed to Centre Court, where she took her seat in the Royal Box. Those around her stood and applauded as she was led into the stands.
Former champion Roger Federer was also welcomed to the box. He took a seat next to the princess, who was stood clapping as the 41-year-old arrived at the scene of his eight titles for the first time since he retired last September.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30385660.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Wimbledon-2023-Day-Two-All-England-Lawn-Tennis-and-Croquet-Clubjpgn.jpg)
Kate is a royal patron of the All England Club, which hosts the championships, and usually makes several trips to the tournament during its run.
Her visit to the club comes after she was given a cheeky reminder of Wimbledon etiquette in a warm-up video for the tournament last month, which also featured 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.
Kate served as a ball girl for the Swiss tennis tennis ace and even made an impressive catch as one of the balls headed out of the court.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30387164.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Wimbledon-2023.jpg)
When fellow SW19 ball girl Molly congratulated her on a good catch, Federer asked if they were allowed to catch the ball without letting it bounce.
When Kate asked Molly if she had unwittingly broken a rule, she cheekily answered: “You are not meant to catch it.
"You are meant to let it bounce and then get it, but good catch."
Later she had nothing but praise for the ball boys and girls, adding: "The amount of work it takes, it is incredible to see."
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30387167.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Wimbledon-2023.jpg)
Meanwhile, Boulter, 26, secured her most impressive achievement so far by winning the Nottingham Open last month and moved up to as high as no.77 in the world rankings in the process.
Not only is she enjoying life on the court, but Boulter is loved up with boyfriend and fellow tennis player Alex de Minaur. The Australian is currently the men's world number 16 and he will also be in action at Wimbledon today.
Meanwhile tennis fans who missed out on watching live tennis after increased security checks left the Wimbledon queue in chaos may have to battle through rain for another chance to spectate on the tournament’'s second day.
![](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article30386166.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Day-Two-The-Championships-Wimbledon-2023.jpg)
The Met Office has forecast occasionally heavy rain across the south on Tuesday.
Home fans are sure to brave the grey weather to watch Andy Murray play fellow Briton Ryan Peniston on Centre Court.
Cameron Norrie will face Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic on Court One.
Other Brits in action include Heather Watson, George Loffhagen and Sonay Kartal, who will also take to the courts on Tuesday.
On the first day of the tournament, some spectators who had visited Wimbledon in previous years said the queue was the "worst" they had seen.
Organisers said extra checks – put in place over over concerns about protests – were to blame for the slow queue.
A spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said there was "high demand" from queuers on Monday and thanked them for their "patience and understanding".