**Princess of Wales Moves Wimbledon Crowd to Their Feet – Lip Reader Uncovers Her Words**
The Wimbledon women’s singles final this year was not only memorable for its sporting spectacle but also for the deeply emotional response evoked by the presence of the Princess of Wales. Kate Middleton, who has been in remission following a cancer diagnosis earlier in the year, was met with heartfelt applause and a standing ovation as she entered the Centre Court press box on 12 July. The capacity crowd, numbering some 15,000, demonstrated clear support and affection for the royal figure.
The scale of the reception left a strong impression on those present, and it did not go unnoticed by Kate herself. Renowned lip reading expert Jeremy Freeman observed as the Princess took in the ovation, noting her quietly expressed gratitude to the crowd. According to Freeman, Kate greeted those around her with a simple, “Thanks. Hi,” capturing her sense of humility. To someone beside her, she added, “Sweet, very nice to hear!” with a broad smile.
Before play began, the Princess engaged in her role as royal patron by meeting with two tennis legends. A warm handshake was exchanged with Martina Navratilova, while Billie Jean King was greeted with a few words and a curtsy. When the 81-year-old King asked after Kate’s welfare, the Princess reportedly replied simply, “Beautiful,” perhaps a nod both to the day’s festivities and her gratitude to be present following her recent health challenges.
Throughout the afternoon, Kate continued to fulfil her public duties with grace. During the post-match ceremonies, after Poland’s Iga Swiatek secured a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amanda Anisimova of the United States, the Princess offered comforting and motivational messages to the finalists. To Anisimova, she was overheard expressing admiration for her achievements: “You should be so proud, well done, and enjoy yourself.”
Backstage, her words to Swiatek reflected both encouragement and gentle advice. According to expert lip readings, Kate counselled the new champion: “Ensure that you have some downtime.” She further acknowledged Swiatek’s success, telling her, “Wonderful, extraordinary achievement, very well done. Congratulations and enjoy it. Enjoy the celebrations back home.”
Iga Swiatek, basking in the aftermath of her historic victory as the first Polish woman to win Wimbledon, addressed the crowd with sincere humility. Commending her opponent, she remarked: “First of all I want to congratulate Amanda for an amazing two weeks, no matter what happened today.” Swiatek also reflected on her own journey, admitting, “I didn’t even dream [about winning] because it was way too far,” and referred to her surprising triumph, despite her confidence from previous grand slam wins.
Kate, a familiar figure at the All England Lawn Tennis Club since her marriage to Prince William in 2011, serves as patron of the organisation and regularly attends key matches. Last year, she had the honour of presenting the men’s singles trophy to Carlos Alcaraz, and it is speculated she may do so again if Alcaraz is victorious in the upcoming final against Jannik Sinner.
The Princess’s return to public life, and the warm reception she received at Wimbledon, underscored the high esteem in which she is held—not only as a royal, but as a symbol of resilience and grace under pressure. The event was an uplifting moment for royal watchers and tennis fans alike, blending the excitement of elite sport with a tangible sense of human warmth and connection.
As Wimbledon draws to a close, Kate Middleton’s appearances throughout the tournament have once again highlighted the unique relationship the British Royal Family enjoys with the world of sport, and the enduring public fascination with their personal stories.