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Watched by his loving wife, England’s tennis hero carried the hopes of the nation at Wimbledon.
But back in 1926, the future King George VI’s attempt to put on a royal display on the tennis court ended in disaster.
Partnering up with his former equerry, Wing-Commander Louis Greig, the then Duke of York became the first member of the Royal Family to compete at the famous championships in south-west London.
The pair ultimately succumbed to a straight sets defeat at the hands of fellow Britons Arthur Gore and Herbert Roper Barret, who beat them 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 despite being aged 58 and 52 respectively.
The Prince was said to be so nervous that the crowd began ‘muttering’ and even suggested that he ‘try the other hand’ as shots kept going awry.
Watched by his loving wife, England’s tennis hero carried the hopes of the nation at Wimbledon. But back in 1926, the future King George VI’s attempt to put on a royal display on the tennis court ended in defeat
The Duchess of York (left), who had given birth to eldest daughter Princess Elizabeth just weeks earlier, watched with two friends
The Duchess of York, who had given birth to eldest daughter Princess Elizabeth just two months earlier, watched with two friends.
The Daily Mail’s report of the Duke of York’s defeat
Newsreel footage from the time told how the future Queen Mother was ‘keenly interested in the game,’ which was watched by a packed crowd.
Photos show the King – in contrast to modern players who always compete in shorts – wearing an all-white outfit comprised of pristine trousers and a t-shirt.
Wielding a wooden racket as was the norm until the late 1970s, George, then aged 30, was seen trying in vain to reach for difficult shots with his partner alongside him.
His and Grieg’s efforts were far from enough to overcome two opponents for whom tennis was their main pursuit.
Gore had won three singles titles – in 1901, 1908 and 1909 – and had also triumphed at the championships in the men’s doubles in 1909.
Barrett was even more proficient in the doubles, winning in 1909, 1912 and 1913.
However, the pair lost in the next round to French pair Maxime Decugis and Andre Gobert.
Partnering up with his former equerry, Wing-Commander Louis Greig, the then Duke of York became the first member of the Royal Family to compete at the famous championships in south London
King George VI, then the Duke of York, is seen competing at Wimbledon with his doubles partner, Wing-Commander Louis Greig
The Duke of York, later King George VI, playing at the Wimbledon tennis championships
The Duke of York is seen serving during his doubles match at Wimbledon in June 1926
Crowds watch on Court Number Two as the then Duke of York serves during his doubles match
As revealed in author Sarah Bradford’s 1991 biography of King George, a spectator recalled: ‘The Duke of York was very nervous and couldn’t play at all, at times lashing the ball with his racquet’. Above: The Prince reaches for a shot
The Duke and Greig had previously partnered at the RAF doubles competition in 1920, which they won.
Wimbledon’s organisers, the Lawn Tennis Club, had wanted the Duke and Greig to play on centre court, but the royal wanted to perform out of the limelight, suggesting one of the outer arenas.
A compromise led to the match being played on Court Two, which still had significant seating for spectators.
As revealed in author Sarah Bradford’s 1991 biography of King George, a spectator recalled: ‘The Duke of York was very nervous and couldn’t play at all, at times lashing the ball with his racquet.
After becoming King in 1936, George returned to Wimbledon more than once, including in 1947 when he presented the singles trophy to Jack Kramer of the United States
‘The crowd began muttering and someone made the well-meaning suggestion to the left-handed Prince, “try the other hand, Sir.”
Afterwards, the King admitted to the match’s referee that the standard had been too good for him.
However, women’s champion Suzanne Lenglen, who was watching, said that with ‘plenty of practice’, he would have had the ‘makings of a champion.’
But George’s experience at Wimbledon was a traumatic one and he never played tennis in public again.
After becoming King in 1936, George returned to Wimbledon more than once, including in 1947 when he presented the singles trophy to Jack Kramer of the United States.
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