When Kate Middleton appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour, it was the first time in six months that the world had seen the senior royal. After a planned abdominal surgery in January revealed the Princess of Wales had cancer, she retreated from public life to seek treatment—and while she assured in a video statement that she was “well and getting stronger every day,” it was unclear if Middleton could return to her role anytime soon.
Even when she attended the annual state celebration for King Charles’s birthday, she did so with the caveat that she still had a long road ahead: “I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” she said.
However, it seems that Middleton might be ready to rally once more. A report in The Telegraph says that the organizers of Wimbledon are giving the princess, who traditionally presents the trophy to the winner of the tournament the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, “as much flexibility as possible” to attend the event if she wishes. The Telegraph also reports the decision on who will present the trophy will not be made until the morning of.
While it seems, just like her appearance at Trooping the Colour, this will all be decided at the last minute—Wimbledon is arguably the Princess’s favorite event on her royal calendar. An avid tennis fan, she’s long been spotted animatedly cheering in the stands over the years. (“It was so fun sitting next to Princess Catherine,” Roger Federer once told reporters of attending Wimbledon alongside Kate.) So keep your eyes peeled for a potential Kate Middleton sighting in the royal box.
