The head of a prominent British sporting event is optimistic that Princess Kate will be healthy enough to present awards at a championship final this summer.
This comes after she made her first official appearance during her cancer treatment at the Trooping the Colour event this month.
Will Kate Middleton attend the Wimbledon Tennis Championships?
Debbie Jevans, who chairs the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) which hosts the annual Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, mentioned that they are willing to offer Kate “as much flexibility as possible” if she feels well enough to present the men’s and women’s singles final trophies this year.
Princess Kate has been a patron of the AELTC since 2016, a role bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II.
Over the years, she has frequently presented trophies at Wimbledon, often attending several days of the event, sometimes with Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, Jevans gave fans a glimmer of hope that Kate might still make an appearance at this year’s tournament.
“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 come first,” Jevans said. “We are prepared to be as flexible as necessary to accommodate her health.”
When asked about an alternative presenter, Jevans responded, “I’m not sure who would step in if needed—that’s something we’ll consider closer to the event if necessary. We’re keeping our options open and will make decisions based on the situation at that time.”
Jevans’ comments follow the first significant update from Kate regarding her health since she announced her cancer diagnosis and treatment in March.
On June 14, the princess released a personal statement detailing her chemotherapy experience and expressing hope that she would be able to attend some summer events after the Trooping the Colour celebrations.
“I am making good progress, but as anyone undergoing chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days,” she said. “On the bad days, you feel weak and tired and have to rest. But on the good days, you want to make the most of feeling well.
“My treatment is ongoing and will continue for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on things that give me energy and positivity, and do some work from home.
“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 I’m aware I’m not fully recovered yet.”
Kate’s tentative hope to attend more events in the coming weeks does not signal her official return to public life as a working royal.
Any events she attends are unlikely to be announced far in advance to allow her to assess her health closer to the time, in consultation with her doctors.
Wimbledon has always been a beloved summer event for the princess.