Related Articles
After almost two weeks of thrilling tennis, this weekend sees Wimbledon come to an end, with the women’s final today and the men’s tomorrow.
During the last 12 days, hundreds of celebrities have descended on SW19 to watch the best tennis players battle it out for a Grand Slam title.
The most prestigious seats – those in the Royal Box – have been given to high-profile celebrities, athletes and politicians.
The box often houses members of the Royal Family, notably the Princess of Wales, patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Here FEMAIL reveals the high-profile guests enjoying the game from the best seats in the house on the 13th and penultimate day.
The Royal Boz was packed with famous faces at Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Saturday
1. Maria Sharapova
Former tennis player Maria Sharapova (pictured) watches the women’s final from the Royal Box
It’s no wonder that tennis star Maria Sharapova – a Russian five-time Grand Slam champion, who retired from the game in 2020 – was in attendance at Wimbledon.
The former athlete, 38, has previously spoken out about her love of the sport.
Two years after her retirement, in 2022, she had a son Theodore with her partner British auctioneer Alexander Gilkes.
Discussing her retirement from tennis, in February 2020, Maria published a statement in Vanity Fair.
In it, she said she was ‘saying goodbye’ to the sport that made her a household name.
‘How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love – one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys – a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?
‘I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I’m saying goodbye,’ she concluded.
2. Billie Jean King and Illana Kloss
Former tennis pros and partners Billie Jean King and Illana Kloss (both pictured) have attended Wimbledon a number of times this year
Tennis icon Billie Jean King was joined by her life partner Illana Kloss were also given seats in the box. They have attended the tournament numerous times this year.
King who won 12 Grand Slam titles between 1966 and 1976, is known for using her platform to advocate for social justice and equality, and she was a part of the ‘Original Nine’ who founded the first ever professional women’s tour.
South-African born Kloss played doubles with King and the pair have been together since 1987.
3. Sue Barker
TV presenter and former tennis player Sue Barker (pictured) stepped down from fronting Wimbledon in 2022
Sue Barker is a TV presenter and former tennis player who fronted the BBC’s coverage of the Wimbledon Championships for 30 years.
After stepping down in 2022 and passing the reins to colleague Clare Balding, many expressed their sadness at her departure.
However, she has still visited the hallowed grounds numerous times since, as a spectator.
During her playing career, Barker, now 68, won 15 WTA titles, including the French Open in 1976.
In 1988, Sue married landscape gardener Lance Tankard. The couple now live in The Cotswolds.
4. Martina Navratilova
Sporting icon Martina Navratilova (pictured) looked stylish in a white blazer with a multicoloured floral print at Wimbledon today
Martina Navratilova, considered a tennis legend, has won 59 Grand Slam titles overall, including 31 in women’s doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.
The last was a mixed doubles championship with Bob Bryan at the 2006 US Open, a month shy of her 50th birthday.
Navratilova originally retired in 1994, after a record 167 singles titles and 331 weeks at No. 1 in the WTA rankings.
Last year, the sporting icon revealed just weeks before Wimbledon that she had been told she was free of cancer.
‘Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, proton and radiation magicians etc- what a relief,’ she wrote.
Navratilova, 66, also added ‘f*** cancer’ in the post.
She revealed she had been diagnosed with throat cancer and breast cancer in January that year and that she would begin treatment that month.
5. Christine Janes
Former player Dr Christine Janes (pictured) won a singles Grand Slam title at the French Championships in 1959 and was a finalist at Wimbledon in 1961
Former club committee and Ladies’ Singles finalist Dr Christine Janes took to the Royal Box today alongside her son, Richard.
The Loughton-born sportswoman, 83, won a singles Grand Slam title at the French Championships in 1959 and was a finalist at Wimbledon in 1961, as well as also reaching and the U.S. Championships.
In December 1967, she married former Wasps player Gerry Janes and they have four children – including Richard who joined her today.
In 2001, she was appointed Member of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to Lawn Tennis.
6. Jill Scott
Former England footballer Jill Scott (pictured) who was once described as one of England’s four outstanding players was among the crowd at SW19 today
Former England footballer Jill Scott is clearly a fan of tennis as well as football, watching the women’s final live.
The 37-year-old, who played as a midfielder, was described as one of England’s four outstanding players in a FIFA technical report into the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
After retiring from football in 2022, Jill appeared in the 22nd series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, which she won, being crowned Queen of the Jungle.
7. Sam Mendes
British film and theatre director Sam Mendes is pictured in the Royal Box with his wife, trumpeter Alison Balsom
Sam Mendes, CBE, is a British film director, known for his innovative stage productions, including James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.
The 57-year-old was previously married to Kate Winslet before marrying famous trumpeter, Alison Balsom in 2017.
The director was educated at Cambridge University before joining the Chichester Festival Theatre in 1987.
8. Ann Jones
Tennis royalty Ann Jones (pictured) is no stranger to a slam final – having on a whopping eight Grand Slam championships in her career
Ann Jones, 85, is tennis royalty – as the former player has won a whopping eight Grand Slam championships in her career.
Last year, she became the Vice President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
As an athlete she was known for her prowess in lawn tennis.
9. Hugh Jackman
Australian actor Hugh Jackman (pictured) was the picture of style as he donned a blue suit to attend Wimbledon today
Australian actor Hugh Jackman looked extremely dapper as he took to the Royal Box today. The 55-year-old donned a white dress shirt and navy blue tie under his blue designer suit.
Deadpool & Wolverine star Hugh completed his look with a pair of luxury sunglasses and shiny leather boots.
The newly single actor went solo to the prestigious sporting event and appeared happy and relaxed as he posed along the media wall.
Hugh announced his shock split from his Deborra-Lee last September after 27 years of marriage, telling fans they separated ‘to pursue our individual growth’.
The star is back in the spotlight after returning to his role as superhero Wolverine in the latest Deadpool film.
10. Kate Beckinsale
Actress Kate Beckinsale (pictured) looked chic in a white ensemble and oversized black sunglasses as she watched the match
Kate Beckinsale is a tennis fan who has been spotted enjoying the tennis at Wimbledon before.
The 50-year-old actress, who is known for her roles in film including Total Recall and Van Helsing, is an only child whose parents were also actors.
Kate, who once dated fellow actor Martin Sheen, has spoken at length about how the tragic death of her father Richard Beckinsale – who died at just 31-years-old, when Kate was five – has deeply affected her life.
The London-born performer, who was once described as ‘whip-clever’ by Victoria Coren Mitchell, dropped out of Oxford University (where she was reading Russian and French) to concentrate on her successful acting career.
She has since stated she’d like to complete her studies at Oxford.
His other television credits include appearing as a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021. In 2022, he was a contestant on the Celebrity Christmas Special of BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee. He won the competition.
12. Darcey Bussell
Former ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell (pictured) is chic in a white frock as she takes her seat in the Royal Box today
Former ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell also watched the live action from the Royal Box today.
Miss Bussell retired from the Royal Ballet aged 38, receiving a standing ovation at the end of her final performance at the Royal Opera House.
Dame Darcey, who has two children with her husband, Australian businessman Angus Forbes, was a judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing for seven years.
Born Marnie Mercedes Darcey Pembleton Crittle, she was awarded the CBE in 2006 and once made a guest appearance as herself in BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley.
13. Samir Shah
Samir Shah (pictured), a British television and radio executive, was among the lucky few to get a seat in the Royal Box for today’s final
British television and radio executive Samir Shah, 72, is currently controller of BBC Radio 4 – a role he took up this year.
The Indian-born executive, who moved to England with his family in 1960, has enjoyed considerable success in his career.
As well as his position at the BBC, he has also worked at London Weekend Television, and is also the chief executive of Juniper TV.
Samir, got a degree in geography at the University of Hull and a DPhil in anthropology and geography at St Catherine’s College, Oxford.
In 2001, he was appointed an OBE for services to equal opportunities in broadcasting. In 2019, he was promoted to a CBE for services to heritage and television.
14. Brian Hainline
Dr Brian Hainline (pictured) has been spotted in the Royal Box at Wimbledon multiple times during this year’s tournament
Dr Brian Hainline made another appearance in Wimbledon’s Royal Box today, after attending earlier on during the tournament.
As president of the United States Tennis Association, he has a very strong connection to the sport, so his presence at the event comes as no surprise.
Described on his LinkedIn page as ‘an internationally recognised expert in sport-related concussion and mental health in elite athletes’, he is currently also Chief Medical Officer of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
In addition to listing his professional accomplishments, and recognition within his field, his page also describes his enjoyment of sport.
‘He is passionate about mentoring societal leaders about sport’s far-reaching potential, peak performance in sport as a metaphor for life, and mental health and wellness in sport and society at large,’ it reads.
15. Ellie Goulding
British singer Ellie Goulding, who is a regular face at Wimbledon, is pictured sitting next to music executive Cassandra Gracey in the Royal Box
British singer Ellie Goulding, 37, from Hereford, was among the lucky few to watch day 13 of Wimbledon from the Royal Box.
The Starry Eyed singer is a regular face at the sporting event and has taken to the Royal Box on numerous occasions.
Ellie’s string of successful hits has seen her win three Brit Awards, a Billboard Music Award, 17 BMI London Awards, as well as receiving two Grammy nominations.
Ellie’s appearance comes after she was reunited with estranged husband Caspar Jopling – just one day after returning from Costa Rica, where she spent time with her new surfer love interest.
The couple, who announced they were separating after four years of marriage in February, were seen on a stroll in London in June looking relaxed.
Ellie and Casper, who said they remain ‘the closest of friends’ and are ‘successfully co-parenting’ their three-year-old son Arthur, have been spotted on multiple occasions together despite their split.
James Bowder
Joining the host of notable figures in Wimbledon’s Royal Box today is Major James Bowder, who currently serves as General Officer Commanding, London District.
Formerly Director of Army Futures, in charge of innovation and future investment for the British Army, and Head of Army Strategy, he boasts an impressive career history.
The OBE underwent formal training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, before becoming a commanding officer of 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in 2011, where he was deployed to Afghanistan.
David Haggerty
David Haggerty – who has been the President of the International Tennis Federation since 2015 has attended Wimbledon a number of times this year – and was there again today.
He has also been a member of the International Olympic Committee for four years, as well as being a board member for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
It’s not the first time he’s been spotted at the event – having attended the prestigious occasion last week.
Sir Ben Key
Admiral Sir Benjamin John Key is a senior naval officer who joined the force in 1984.
He is the First Sea Lord and the professional head of the Royal Navy, having previously led operations in Kosovo and Iraq.
He lives with his wife Elly and three children in Dorset.
Source link
