The Queen at Wimbledon: Her Majesty and Royal Family at the tournament throughout history
THE QUEEN and senior members of the Royal Family, including Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge, pictured at the Wimbledon tennis tournament throughout the years.
The British Royal Family have long been a part of Wimbledon, making many appearances at the prestigious sporting event over the years.
Thought to be the oldest tennis tournament in the world, the first championship took place in 1877 with the Ladies’ Doubles and Mixed Doubles events added to the roster many years later in 1913.
The first royal visitors to the tournament were Prince George and Princess Mary of Wales (later King George V and Queen Mary) in 1907, starting a long association between Wimbledon and the Royal Family.
Today, tennis enthusiast Kate Middleton, 37, is the royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club - the club which hosts the annual event - a role which once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duchess of Cambridge took over the position in 2016 when the Queen handed over many of her patronages to younger members of the Royal Family.
Her Royal Highness is now a regular fixture at Wimbledon and is often seen in the royal box watching the tennis.
She made her first appearance at this year’s event on Tuesday and watched British star Harriet Dart win her first round match from court 14.
Shortly after her 2011 wedding, Kate attended the tennis tournament with her new husband Prince William, 37.
The sport-loving royal couple, who are parents to Prince George, five, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one, have been spotted court-side on many occasions since.
Last year the mother-of-three attended the tennis championship with her sister-in-law Meghan Markle, 37, two months after her royal wedding to Prince Harry, 34.
Other members of the Royal Family who are often photographed at Wimbledon include His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, 83, who has been the president of the club since 1969.
As well as Princess Beatrice, Princess Michael of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent.
During her days as Royal Patron, the Queen was photographed at Wimbledon on numerous occasions - mostly recently in 2010.
Her daughter-in-law Princess Diana was also a fan of the tennis and watched the Ladies’ final in 1991 with a young Prince William in tow.