**Kate Middleton and Roger Federer: Friendship, Royal Protocol, and Centre Court Moments**
In recent years, the friendship between Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer has delighted not only sports enthusiasts but also followers of the Royal Family. Their rapport has blossomed in the spotlight of Wimbledon, capturing imaginations and highlighting both the informal and ceremonial facets of royal life.
While Federer’s illustrious playing career has now drawn to a close, his presence at the All England Club remains undiminished. Now a keen spectator, he often shares the Royal Box with Catherine. Their camaraderie was perhaps most memorably on display after Federer clinched his record-breaking eighth Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2017. The princess, alongside Prince William, witnessed the momentous victory and stepped forward to offer her congratulations. In a gesture that caused a stir among royal watchers, Catherine greeted Federer with three kisses – a move considered unconventional within royal protocol, where only one or two kisses are typically exchanged.
Commentators have speculated on this break from formality, suggesting it was a nod to Swiss tradition, in which three kisses form a standard greeting among friends. Such gestures offer a compelling glimpse into the blending of international customs at major events like Wimbledon, and show Catherine’s willingness to embrace traditions beyond her own.
Their interactions at Wimbledon have not all been celebrations. Two years after Federer’s historic win, Catherine was tasked with presenting him with the runner-up trophy. This followed a dramatic five-set battle with Novak Djokovic – a match that left fans breathless and gave the princess an opportunity to show both empathy and sportsmanship in the face of Federer’s defeat.
With Federer’s 2023 retirement, their dynamic shifted once again. For the first time, the tennis great took his place as a spectator in the Royal Box, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd. The applause was so enthusiastic that, according to former British number one John Lloyd, Catherine found herself gently urging Federer to take his seat so that the match could proceed. It was yet another moment that charmed the audience, underlining the mutual respect and easy interaction between these two public figures.
Reflecting on their friendship, Federer remarked on the joy and care required when conversing courtside, given the sometimes-hushed reverence of the Wimbledon crowd. “You can talk, and then it’s super quiet, and then you have to applaud,” he observed, adding that he and Catherine had become careful not to disrupt the formal atmosphere of Centre Court. Catherine, herself a passionate tennis fan and enthusiastic amateur player, has taken part in promotional activities with Federer, championing Wimbledon’s ball boys and girls by trying her hand at their roles—much to the delight of the public and Federer himself.
The connections between Federer and the wider Middleton family run deeper than Wimbledon’s grass courts. Federer has previously given tennis lessons to Prince George, the couple’s eldest child, and was a guest at Pippa Middleton’s wedding in 2017. That event followed Pippa’s own high-profile interview with Federer for Vanity Fair in 2013, cementing the relationship between tennis royalty and the real thing.
Further illustrating the family’s admiration for Federer is Catherine’s light-hearted comment about her mother, Carole. She revealed that the Swiss star is her mother’s “heartthrob,” even joking that Federer is likely aware of the fact. Such anecdotes humanise the royal family, offering the public a rare glimpse into their personal affections and family stories.
As Federer continues to play a prominent role in tennis culture and Catherine’s official duties at Wimbledon evolve, their unique bond exemplifies how sporting events can bring together figures from different walks of public life. It also demonstrates the ways in which tradition, protocol, and genuine friendship intersect on one of the world’s most prestigious stages.