It's officially summer which means that we've finally hit tennis season here in the UK and from 30th June until 13th July our eyes are going to be glued to the TV as coverage of the Wimbledon Championships disrupts normal programming.
Whilst of course we'll be watching to see if Carlos Alcaraz will win his third consecutive championships and seeing if Aryna Sabalenka can retain her position as the bookies' favourite, really we're here for the celeb-spotting.
And as all true Wimbledon fans know, the Wimbledon Royal Box is the best place for that activity. Over the years the faces we've spotted include Kate Middleton, Sienna Miller, Alexa Chung and Stormzy, as well as David Beckham, Zara and Mike Tindall and Queen Camilla. It's the perfect place to watch A-listers reacting to the tennis with little to no control over their facial expressions. It's also a fashion event in and of itself as the stars have to adhere to a strict formal dress code.
Those lucky enough to be invited to the royal box are treated to a fantastic view of the tennis, lunch in the Clubhouse and tea and drinks at the end of the day. For lunch, guests can expect a carefully curated spread of hot and cold dishes, from lobster tail to luxury cuts of meat and seafood. Of course, strawberries and cream are then served for dessert. Guests are asked to dress smart and men are required to wear a suit and tie. Meanwhile, ladies are asked not to wear hats because they obstruct the view of the people behind them.
Who sits in the Royal Box at Wimbledon?
Not any Tom, Dick or Harry can rock up to The Royal Box. Per the Wimbledon website, invitations come from the Chairman of the All England Club, taking into account suggestions from members of The Championships’ Organising Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and other relevant sources.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that The Royal Box has hosted, yes, you guessed it, many British royals over the years (although the invitation can be extended to overseas royal families too).
Last year, the guests included: The Princess of Wales with daughter Princess Charlotte, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julia Roberts, Zendaya, Glenn Close and Andrew Garfield to name just a few.
Who has sat in the Wimbledon Royal Box last year?
The Princess of Wales made a rare public appearance at the men's final in 2024 alongside Princess Charlotte and her sister Pippa Middleton. You can shop her full look here.
What is it like sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon?
Getting the best view in the house – located at the baseline at Centre Court – isn't the only perk that comes with a Royal Box ticket. Lucky invitees are treated to lunch, tea and drinks at the Clubhouse at the end of the day.
The dress code is smart and ladies are politely asked to refrain from wearing hats as they can obscure the vision of those seated behind them.
The Royal Box's chairs have an extra level of padding and comfort, in contrast to the fold-down plastic chairs that regular viewers sit on for hours on end.