Kate Nowhere in Sight: Parents Carole and Michael Middleton Make Wimbledon Appearance During Daughter's Cancer Battle
Michael and Carole Middleton decided to make Kate, Princess of Wales proud by attending the Thursday, July 4, tournament at Wimbledon. The parents of Britain's next queen opted for summer-themed daywear with Carole wearing a floral dress and cream coat next to Michael's navy blue suit.
HRH "made a statement" with her June 15 Trooping the Colour royal return, but with Wimbledon well underway, will the princess attend her favorite sporting event? That remains to be seen, however, one senior royal has been confirmed.
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, appeared at Wimbledon on Wednesday, July 3. HRH attended the President's Lunch hosted by the Lawn Tennis Association and subsequently watched the Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) in Wimbledon. Debbie Jevans, the chair of AELTC, previously mentioned that they are maintaining flexibility regarding who will present the trophies to this year's Wimbledon champions, which could signal a possible Kate cameo.
In a role typically performed by the future queen, Jevans offered an update on Kate by stating: "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."
The chairwoman added: "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."
Even though the princess' return in mid-June warmed the hearts of royal fans all over the world, her statement reportedly still stands that she will only attend engagements if her health permits it.
"Her treatment is ongoing, and will be for the next few months, but I understand she would like to visit the Wimbledon tennis tournament — she is a patron — if she feels up to it," royal expert Emily Andrews told a publication.
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Some feel that Her Royal Highness' continued absence from public life is testing the appeal of the monarchy.
"As we know from any superficial study of the British royal family, it’s the women who pull the show together, who get out there and make things happen," Diana, Princess of Wales' former private secretary Patrick Jephson shared. "So how fragile is the monarchy? Well, it’s as fragile as Catherine is, and at the moment, we don’t know."
This year's Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, July 14. Numerous observers remain hopeful that Kate will attend at least one day of the event.
Us Weekly reported on Carole and Michael's outing.