Wimbledon is well and
truly underway, with huge crowds drawn to the tennis tournament every day.
And while bagging a seat at
one of the 18 courts is a coup in itself, there is one area coveted above all
others – the Royal Box on Centre Court.
As the name suggests, it has
played host to a huge number of British royals over the years, from Prince
William and Duchess Kate, to the Queen and Meghan
Markle, as well as all manner of A-list celebrities and VIPs, including David and Victoria
Beckham, Ant McPartlin and Chris Hemsworth.
But how do you get a seat in
the Royal Box? And more importantly, is it possible for us mere mortals to gain
entry? Read on to find out everything you need to know…
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Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan pictured at Wimbledon in 2018
According to the official
Wimbledon website, the Royal Box is used for friends and guests of Wimbledon,
which includes “British and overseas royal families, heads of government,
people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British Armed Forces, prominent
media organizations, supporters of tennis and other walks of life”. In
total, there are 74 seats in the Royal Box, which are all dark green in colour
and come with padding for extra comfort.
When it comes to invitations,
the man you need to know is the Chairman of the All England Club, Philip Brook. He
does, however, also take into account suggestions from members of The
Championships’ Organizing Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and
“other relevant sources”.
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The Beckhams are among the lucky guests who have sat in the Royal Box
If you are lucky enough to get
a seat, make sure to dress appropriately! Guests must dress smartly with suits/
jackets and ties required for men – just ask Lewis Hamilton, who was once
denied entry to the Royal Box. Ladies, meanwhile, are asked not to wear hats to
ensure they don’t obscure the vision of those sat behind them.
Getting the best view in the
house isn’t the only perk that comes with a Royal Box ticket. Guests are also
automatically given an invitation to the Clubhouse for lunch, tea and drinks at
the end of the day. Who knows, you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with
Duchess Kate while you’re there – sounds like the perfect day out!
