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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Nuray Bulbul

Why Wimbledon tennis stars don't have to bow or curtsey to Royals

Wimbledon competitors bowing or curtseying to the Royal Box was a tennis tradition for a long time. But since 2003, no such deference has been required.

The etiquette is now only required in the presence of the Queen or Prince Charles. The Queen has only attended four times, with her last trip coming in 2010 - when she saw Andy Murray beat Jarkko Nieminem.

Prior to this she hadn't attended for 33 years. Her Majesty's official visits had been in her role as patron, but she has since stepped down from that role and it has been passed onto Kate Middleton.

But why don't players have to curtsey to the Royals and who's previously been in the Royal Box? Here's everything you need to know.

Read more: Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray delight fans with Wimbledon victories

Why Wimbledon players don't have to curtsey to Royals

In 2003, the Duke of Kent, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, stopped the practice, saying it no longer fit in with the modern game. The only exceptions are for the Queen and the Prince of Wales.

The change came after Buckingham Palace lifted the requirement of bowing and curtseying when meeting royalty in other cases. In the past, some Wimbledon players are thought to have been as nervous about the etiquette as they were about winning their matches.

Which Royals have previously come to Wimbledon?

Wimbledon has been associated with the Royals for a long time. The Duke of Kent presented the Wimbledon trophy for 52 years, King George VI (Queen Elizabeth's father) participated at the Championships in 1926 and The Queen awarded the Wimbledon trophy to Althea Gibson in 1957.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen in the Royal Box every year since 2010. On one occasion in 2018 Meghan Markle joined the Duchess. Other royals that were seen in the Royal Box include Lady Gabriella Windsor and Lord Frederick Windsor, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex.

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