The All England Club is reportedly offering Kate as much flexibility as possible and will make a final decision on her participation on the morning of the women’s final on Saturday.
Since becoming patron of the All England Club in 2016, the Princess of Wales has regularly presented the trophies on Centre Court.
Kate has made only one public appearance this year at Trooping the Colour, following her announcement in March that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer detected after major abdominal surgery in January.
Kensington Palace has not confirmed any future engagements for the Princess as she continues her recovery, and her attendance at Trooping the Colour on June 15 was a surprise, announced just hours before the event.
The Telegraph reports that the All England Club has identified the Duchess of Gloucester as the most likely replacement should Kate be unable to attend.
A Wimbledon spokesman told the newspaper that the final decision would be made on the morning of each final. The Danish-born Duchess, formerly Birgitte Eva van Deurs Henriksen, married Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, in 1972. She is an avid tennis fan, which would allow Wimbledon to uphold its royal tradition.
Since King George V (then Prince George) became the club’s first president in 1907, approximately 10 royals have presented the trophies. The Duchess of Gloucester, 78, has been an Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association for 25 years and was invited to Wimbledon last week by the All England Club.
Two weeks ago, All England Club Chair Debbie Jevans told the Telegraph: ‘We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority. We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
‘I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative – that’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary. We’re staying flexible. When we hear we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.’
In another complication, the Wimbledon final would clash with the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
England are one game away from reaching the final – and the Prince of Wales, as President of the FA, would likely be in Berlin for it.
