Kate Middleton, who has attended Wimbledon nearly every year since 2011 as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, has left her fans disappointed by not appearing on the first day of the tennis tournament.
The social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales also remained silent as Wimbledon kicked off on Monday, further disappointing tennis fans who were hoping for a message from Kate.
No members of the royal family attended the event's first day, reflecting a year filled with challenges for the King and the royal family.
In the absence of the royals, other celebrities like David Beckham and David Attenborough captured the spotlight, appearing in high spirits alongside other elites.
Kate's absence was particularly felt by her fans, who were eagerly anticipating a surprise appearance. Her decision to skip the event is due to her ongoing chemotherapy treatment.
Wimbledon officials have acknowledged that they "don't know" who will present trophies this year, but they are giving Kate as much "flexibility as possible" as she continues her recovery.
"We're hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club's patron, but her health and recovery are the priority," Jevans told Telegraph Sport.
Royal expert Emily Andrews speculates that Kate may still make an appearance at Wimbledon this month. Other royal commentators believe she might attend the final to present the trophy. Meanwhile, young royals like Lady Louise Windsor, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie are expected to fill the royal box.
