There are a few ways to get your hands on decent seats at Wimbledon, each of them presenting their own difficulties. If you want to win the public ballot you have to be super organised. If you attempt to buy yourself a ticket on the day, you have to get up three hours after you went to bed to queue up all day, most likely in the rain. The only surefire way to bag a good view, all the strawberries and cream you can eat and to rub shoulders with royalty? Be a celebrity.
As far as we can tell, there’s no rhyme or reason as to who gets invited into the Royal Box every year, and it makes for some interesting celebrity pairings. Where else can you see Drake hanging out with Serena Williams in the presence of Pippa and James Middleton? Or catch Eddie Redmayne and Bradley Cooper having a fervent discussion about the Oscars or tennis or whatever else they have in common?
From fleeting visits from Chris Hemsworth and Beyonce, to regulars Hugh Grant and the Beckham troupe, Wimbledon is one of the few annual events where the most unlikely celebs are forced to spend the day together. Whether the celebs are invited solely for the benefit of the people watching at home to coo over when the games get a bit boring, or whether the Chairman of the All England Club - Philip Brook, who holds the golden ticket to the royal box - has an ulterior motive is unclear, but we’re more than happy to see our faves mingling either way.
Of course there are also the royals to look out for, with Prince William and Kate Middletontaking seats for most years. The Queen hasn’t attended the event since 2010, as she’s not really a fan of tennis, but who knows who might turn up this year.
As the competition looms for another year, take a look at the famous faces we’ve spotted in the stands...
Wimbledon celebrities - Grazia
1 of 392021: Kate Middleton and Michael Middleton
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and her father, Michael Middleton attend day 13 of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in 2021.
2 of 392017: Anna Wintour and David Beckham
Was David hustling for spot on the Met Gala guest list?
3 of 392016: Beyoncé and Jay-Z
It's only natural that Queen B would land a seat in the royal box, after all...
4 of 392017: Pippa and James Middleton
The perks of being a royal in-law: there's always a spot in the royal box with your name on it...
5 of 39Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley and Nicola Coughlan
Before season 2 of the smash-hit period drama took over the world, the cast of Bridgerton attended the Polo Ralph Lauren & British Vogue day of Wimbledon together.
6 of 392017: Eddie Redmayne and Bradley Cooper
Just two extremely well-dressed Oscar nominees, having a chat...
7 of 392017: Dame Maggie Smith and Sir Ian McKellan
The Dowager Countess of Grantham and Gandalf take a summer day trip...
8 of 392017: Pippa Middleton and James Matthews
Pippa and James made their Wimbledon debut as a married couple in 2017.
9 of 392017: The Duchess of Cambridge and Dominic Cooper
When Mamma Mia and the British monarchy collide...
10 of 392016: Anna Wintour, Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk
We can only wonder what Anna thought of Bradley's off-duty look...
11 of 392016: Cruz, David and Romeo Beckham
The Beckham boys (minus Brooklyn) enjoyed a family day out.
12 of 392021: Poppy Delevingne and Sienna Miller
What a pairing! Socialite and fashion designer Poppy posed alongside Hollywood starlet Sienna Miller.
13 of 392016: Benedict Cumberbatch, Lily James, Bradley Cooper, Hugh Grant
Perfect spot the celeb fodder: look close and you'll spot Benedict Cumberbatch and wife Sophie Hunter, Lily James, Bradley Cooper, Irina Shayk, Hugh Grant and former PM David Cameron...
14 of 392016: Pippa and James Middleton
Another sibling day out for the Middletons.
15 of 392016: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
One row behind Kate and Wills, you'll spot Mayor of London Sadiq Khan...
16 of 392015: John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
We can only hope that Chrissy live tweeted the whole match...
17 of 392015: Venus Williams and Drake
Rewind to the summer of 2015, when Drake was doing the tennis HAB thing and attending each and every Serena Williams match...
18 of 392015: Hugh Grant and Benedict Cumberbatch
Those facial expressions could be straight out of a Renaissance painting...
19 of 392014: Keira Knightley and James Righton
Keira and husband James opt for co-ordinating navy blue looks.
20 of 392014: Samuel L Jackson and Chris Hemsworth
Avengers assemble on Centre Court...
21 of 392014: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham and Samuel L Jackson
Oh to be a fly on the wall of the royal box when Victoria Beckham and Samuel L Jackson were deep in conversation...
22 of 392014: Suki Waterhouse, Bradley Cooper and Bear Grylls
The model, the Oscar nominee and the survival expert...
23 of 392021: Phoebe Dynevor and Pete Davidson
Well this is awkward now! In 2021 Bridgerton's Phoebe Dynevor went to Wimbledon with her now ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson. The comedian is of course now dating Kim Kardashian...
24 of 392014: Hugh Grant, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Three national treasures in the same frame.
25 of 392021: Benedict Cumberbatch
The Hollywood superstar made a surprise appearance at the annual tennis event looking very suave.
26 of 392013: Suki Waterhouse, Bradley Cooper and Gerard Butler
At Wimbledon 2013, a new Hollywood bromance was born...
27 of 392013: Pippa Middleton and Denise Lewis
Pippa enjoyed a chat with former heptathlete and BBC pundit Denise.
28 of 392021: Mike and Zara Tindall
The royal couple attended day 9 of the tennis event wearing co-ordinating blue outfits.
29 of 392012: David and Victoria Beckham
As ever, the Beckhams proved their mastery of co-ordinated couples dressing (though this time no leather was involved...)
30 of 392021: Maya Jama and Ben Simmons
The TV presenter made her debut public apperence with her basketball player fiancé, Ben Simmons.
31 of 392011: Nick Clegg, Billie Jean King and Anne Hathaway
And lo, the random Wimbledon celebrity generator produced... the then-leader of the Lib Dems, a tennis legend and the Princess of Genovia!
32 of 392021: Laura Whitmore
The Love Island host made an appearance on day 6 of the 2021 tournament.
33 of 392012: Pippa Middleton and the Duchess of Cambridge
A rare sighting of the Middleton sisters...
34 of 392010: The Queen
The ultimate royal wave...
35 of 392021: David Beckham
David Beckham sits in the prestigious royal box before the start of the Men's Singles Semi Final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Denis Shapovalov of Canada.
36 of 392019: Kate Middleton with Anne Keothavong
Maybe Kate is getting a few tennis tips from the retired British player?
37 of 392021: Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
A pregnant Princess Beatrice was spotted in the royal box chatting away to her husband Edoardo between sets.
38 of 392021: Sophie Wessex
Princess Beatrice wasn't the only royal in the box on day 12 of Wimbledon 2021. She was joined by Sophie, Countess of Wessex and they were also interacting between sets.
39 of 392021: Rochelle Humes
The morning TV presenter opted for a smart cream suit as she was spotted on her way to Wimbledon's official Pimm's lounge.