Star-studded start for Wimbledon as celebs arrive
Wimbledon may have got off to a soggy start but it is one of the most star-studded so far.
Celebrities heading through the gates of SW19 included Simon Cowell's wife Lauren Silverman, model Jodie Kidd, Olympian Sir Ben Ainslie,TV stars Marvin and Rochelle Humes along with Joel Dommett and Dermot O'Leary.
Singer Beverley Knight, models Yasmin Le Bon and Jodie Kidd, internet star Sophie Hermann and socialite Viscountess Emma Weymouth, were also among the guests of Emirates.
Lauren Silverman, 46, said she was looking forward to the day.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Alcaraz. I have been to Wimbledon before, it's such a fun day," she said.
"I'm going to enjoy the strawberries and the champagne."
Sir Ben Ainslie, 47, revealed his excitement on the Wimbledon mixed doubles match-up of Sir Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, which was revealed on Wednesday.
Britain's most-decorated Olympic mariner, 47, who is a Wimbledon resident, said he was looking forward to a day of tennis and that he had already been following the progress of fellow British star Jack Draper.
He won a late night thrilling five-set first round tussle 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer.
Sir Ben, on hearing the Murray news, said: "Is that right, I didn't know that. "That's awesome, that's really good."
He added: "There are so many great players but I think Carlos Alcaraz is a big draw.
"I enjoyed watching Jack Draper yesterday, it's a shame as I think he is going to play Cameron Norrie tomorrow - I would love to watch that. Sadly I'm going to have to watch that one on the telly."
He said he would also be looking out for Emma Raducanu, 21, who is third on No.1 Court today.
He said: "We have some great opportunities in the female draw, with Boulter, and we have three really good women's players haven't we?
Sir Ben said he was a fan of Wimbledon as he actually lives in the area of the tournament.
"I live literally 200 metres up the road," he added.
Meanwhile, Jodie Kidd, 45, said she was a firm Wimbledon fan and comes every year.
"Whether it rains, whether it snows, whether the sun is shining, it's the best two weeks of the whole year - I am so so excited," she said.
"And we get to see Raducanu, Medvedev, Sinner - I love coming to see the early days because you get to see so many games.
"It's just really really exciting. It's (Wimbledon) is my favourite favourite couple of weeks of the year, it really is."
Following Sir Andy Murray's decision not to play in the singles draw, Jodie paid tribute to him.
She said: "He's been such a battler and back injuries and especially surgery.
"It was going to be a tough one to get here anyway.
"But at least he is going to be in the doubles and then we just need him to get a gold at the Olympics and then that's good and he can retire then."
The Duchess of Gloucester, former Prime Minister Theresa May, 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova and NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard were among the guests in the Royal Box.
