Many fans remember the Princess of Wales’ presence at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships and assume she presented both trophies in singles play.
Although Catherine was on hand to witness Novak Djokovic’s sixth Wimbledon title following his four-set victory over Matteo Berrettini, the prestigious Men’s Singles Trophy was presented by the Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent, who had been president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for more than five decades, was making one of his final appearances in the role before stepping down later that year after 52 years of service.
As patron of the All England Club (she officially took over from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016), the Princess of Wales took home the trophy that day, but only for the ladies’ singles final.
Catherine presented Australian Ashleigh Barty with the Venus Rosewater dish after Barty beat Karolína Plíšková to become the first Australian in more than four decades to win the Wimbledon singles title.
After the Duke of Kent retired as President, the Princess of Wales became the royal who traditionally presents the gentlemen’s singles trophy, a role she fulfilled at subsequent championships whenever she attended.
The distinction may seem small, but it is a key transition in Wimbledon lore that has helped bridge the Duke of Kent’s remarkable 52-year tenure with Kate’s growing role.
