Like many other
royals, Zara Tindall and her husband Mike enjoy making the
most of Wimbledon fortnight, soaking up some nail-biting tennis
on Centre Court.
While they enjoyed the
action on Tuesday, which saw wins for Spain’s Rafael Nadal and France’s Harmony
Tan, they don’t usually take in the action from the Royal Box.
Instead, the Queen’s eldest
granddaughter and her husband, who were also photographed at the tournament
last year and in 2019, prefer to sit among the crowds.
The reason isn’t that the
couple want to buck tradition or avoid their family members – it’s more
likely because Zara is a brand ambassador for Rolex, and so sits in the
seats designated for the watch company’s invited guests, which are close
to the Royal Box.
Last year, Zara and Mike
sat next to retired Formula One racing driver Nico Rosberg and his wife Viviane
Sibold.
Sitting just behind them was
legendary British Formula One racing driver, Sir Jackie Stewart, who was
wearing a straw hat with ‘Rolex’ branded across the top.
There were also several other
guests in the vicinity wearing the same hat, suggesting that Mike and
Zara – who looked gorgeous in a long striped shirt dress from Sport Max Code –
opted to enjoy their five-star hospitality instead of sitting in the Royal
Box.
It didn’t go to waste though
as the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex, the Duke of Kent,
Lady Helen Taylor and guest of honour Prince Albert of Monaco all enjoyed the
action on the court from the Royal Box.
Other guests invited to sit in
the box have included the Duchess of Cambridge’s mother, Carole
Middleton, Twiggy, Anna Wintour, Sir Michael Parkinson and Dame Shirley
Bassey.
Zara looked stunning in Sport Max Code during her 2019 Wimbledon appearance
The coveted places are usually
reserved for the likes of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who is patron of
the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and other members of the royal
family.
To secure an invitation to one
of the 74 seats available, you have to be invited by the Chairman of the All
England Club.
Guests usually include heads
of government, people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British
armed forces, prominent media organizations and high-profile supporters of
British tennis.