Pippa and Carole Middleton were once prevented from sitting in Wimbledon’s VIP area and forced to sit behind with everyone else, according to several reports.
Much like Kate, Princess of Wales, the Middletons have been regulars at the Centre Court’s Royal Box over the years with her parents Carole and Michael as well as her siblings Pippa and James all making an appearance.
According to Wimbledon etiquette, the Middletons should have access to the Royal Box’s 74 seats as members of the Royal Family along with those invited by All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Last year, actors Kate Winslet, Tom Cruise and Andrew Garfield as well as the likes of Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman watched the tennis from SW19’s most exclusive area.
But in 2017, Carole and Pippa were blocked from entering despite watching from the Royal Box because they turned up late.
The exclusive area operates a strict policy meaning latecomers are not allowed to enter.
The Middletons reportedly showed up too late for three-time grand slam champion Andy Murray’s fourth-round match against French professional Benoit Paire that year.
The pair were then relegated to the regular seats behind the exclusive Royal Box area where guests receive unlimited free refreshments, including the traditional strawberries and cream.
But the snub did not appear to dampen Carole and Pippa’s experience as in photos they appear to be enjoying themselves.
At the time, she was pregnant with her first child George and had been advised not to travel.
Speaking to Sue Barker on the 2017 BBC documentary Our Wimbledon, Kate explained: “I was very heavily pregnant with George so I wasn’t able to turn up.”
She agreed with Barker that she had a “great excuse” but said: “I know but even still. I was sort of [thinking] ‘maybe I could go’ but the doctors were like ‘no’. I wrote to [Andy Murray] afterwards saying sorry for not being there, but huge congratulations.”
Kate, who is an avid tennis player, often plays at her and Prince William’s country home, Anmer Hall, where they have a court.
She is also patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and often watches the Wimbledon matches from the Royal Box.
The Princess of Wales took to the court herself along with eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer in June.
In the same BBC documentary from 2017, Kate revealed that her mother has a crush on Federer, adding: “I have watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up. Roger is my mother’s heartthrob. I don’t think she will mind me saying that. I think he probably knows that too.”
The future Queen starred in a promotional video with Federer, who retired from professional tennis last year, about ball boys and girls’ training ahead of Wimbledon.
She also played doubles match against the tennis champion, who was at one point the Association of Tennis Professionals’ No.1 singles player.
