It has been suggested that the Princess of Wales might skip the Wimbledon ladies’ final to avoid presenting the title to certain players as she seeks advice from the Palace
Kate Middleton may avoid the Wimbledon ladies’ final due to the prospect of presenting the Venus Rosewater Dish to a Belarusian or Russian player, it has been suggested. Athletes from Russia and Belarus were barred from SW19 in 2022 following Vladimir Putin’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who hasn’t lost a set at the All England Club yet and has comfortably secured a quarter-final spot, is increasingly likely to reach Saturday’s Centre Court final. The Minsk-born three-time Grand Slam winner is joined in the quarter-finals by three other Russian competitors.
If she, or any of the trio, were to make it to the final and either win or come second, they would theoretically be presented with a trophy and engage in small talk with the Princess of Wales. However, the diplomatic implications of such an event could pose problems for the Palace, according to reports.
The Mail suggests that Princess Kate would need advice on how to shake hands and chat with Sabalenka, given the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. This would likely also apply to any of the three Russian representatives still in the ladies’ draw.
Among the eight quarter-finalists, Sabalenka, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Mirra Andreeva and Liudmila Samsonova all originate from either Russia or Belarus, reports the Express
It was allegedly suggested that Kate might attend Saturday’s final but not lead the trophy presentations, a proposal that was subsequently dismissed. If advised, she might even bypass the final entirely.
Kate was absent from the 2024 ladies’ final due to her ill health, as she was receiving treatment for cancer. Debbie Jevans, Wimbledon chairwoman, stepped in to present the trophy on her behalf, although Kate did make an appearance at the men’s final the following day.
In 2023, the scenario she faces again this year became increasingly likely, as Sabalenka was sailing through her semi-final match against Ons Jabeur. However, she would lose 7(5)-6, 4-6, 3-6 and be eliminated from the tournament, avoiding any potential discomfort.
Nevertheless, The Times reported that despite Putin’s war in Ukraine and the return of Russian and Belarusian players to Wimbledon that year, Kate would have presented the trophy to a player from either country, had they emerged victorious.
This report implied that Kate would maintain tradition regardless of the diplomatic consequences. Despite worries about a high-profile British Royal presenting a trophy to a player from a country in conflict with Ukraine, which could be exploited as propaganda, she reportedly would have remained steadfast in performing her duties.
Sabalenka made history by capturing the Australian Open title earlier that year, and, in doing so, became the first neutral Grand Slam singles champion.
Following her victory, she commented on the absence of a national flag during celebrations, admitting: “I think everyone still knows I’m a Belarusian player, and that’s it.”
A year earlier, Elena Rybakina powered through to win the Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon after a tense three-set final against 2023 runner-up Ons Jabeur, toppling her 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Despite her Moscow upbringing and beginnings representing Russia, Rybakina switched to compete under the Kazakhstan flag in 2018 following a change in citizenship. Kate, despite potential diplomatic sensitivities, presented the trophy to the 19-year-old champion as the patron of The All England Club.