As the prestigious Wimbledon tournament commences for another exciting year, the ultimate seat to witness all the thrilling action on Centre Court is none other than the Royal Box. Today, the court stood up in applause to welcome back the legendary eight-time men’s champion, Roger Federer, who made a surprising return to the sport after announcing his retirement last year. The 41-year-old ace looked dashing in a white suit jacket as he humbly expressed gratitude to his fans and loved ones for the warm welcome. He took his place between his wife of 14 years, Mirka, and the esteemed Princess of Wales. However, these three were just a few among the incredible lineup of famous faces in the star-studded Royal Box on the second day of Wimbledon 2023. Let’s take a closer look at the exclusive guests who secured the best seats in the house at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in SW19.
1. Thomas Kingston: A financier who is married to Lady Gabriella Windsor, previously known for dating Pippa Middleton. He made headlines when he joined the royal family in 2019 and appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour.
2. Natalie Rushdie: A classically-trained jazz singer with remarkable performances at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium. She shared a close friendship with Dame Deborah James and even sang at her funeral. Natalie recently released a charity single in honor of the late campaigner.
3. Zafar Rushdie: Husband of singer Natalie and son of renowned novelist Salman Rushdie. Zafar kept concerned fans updated on his father’s condition after a shocking attack during a lecture in the US, displaying his father’s unwavering sense of humor.
4. Lady Gabriella Windsor: Daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and second cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. Lady Gabriella grew up at Kensington Palace and had her living expenses covered by the late Queen until 2008.
5. Prince Michael of Kent: Cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and currently 52nd in line to the throne. Prince Michael remains an active member of the royal family, attending important events since King Charles became the monarch.
6 & 7. Danielle De Niese and Gus Christie: Danielle De Niese, an Australian-American soprano opera singer, is married to Gus Christie, Chairman of the Glyndebourne Music Festival. Gus is the grandson of the festival’s founder and has been married to Danielle since 2009.
8. Penny Madden: A British lawyer and a co-partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Penny played a pivotal role in the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, working to secure her release from imprisonment in Tehran, Iran.
9. Princess of Wales: Without a doubt, the highlight of the Royal Box, the Princess of Wales serves as the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and attends Wimbledon faithfully every year. She recently starred in a captivating film to promote this year’s tournament, showcasing her skills in a rally with Roger Federer himself.
10. Geordie Greig: Editor of the Independent, previously serving as the editor of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, Geordie Greig is a prominent figure in the media industry.
11. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: A British-Iranian citizen who endured imprisonment in Tehran in 2016. Nazanin’s case garnered widespread attention, with a team of lawyers and her husband campaigning tirelessly for her release. She finally returned to the UK in 2022, bringing relief to all who had supported her.
12. Roger Federer: The Swiss-born tennis legend needs no introduction. With eight Wimbledon titles and a legacy that spans 24 years, Federer is celebrated as one of the greatest male tennis players in history. Although retired from the sport, his return to Centre Court as a spectator received an overwhelming reception.
13. Robbie Federer: The proud father of Roger Federer, Robbie has been accompanying his son to various events where he has been honored this year. He admiringly described his son as someone who lives for the sport, and last year, he expressed that Roger’s exit from tennis was nothing short of perfection.
As the prestigious Wimbledon tournament unfolds, the Royal Box remains a hub of excitement, hosting an array of esteemed guests who contribute to the electrifying atmosphere of this iconic event.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
