Kate Middleton’s annual appearances at the Wimbledon tennis championships garner much attention, with a particular focus being placed on her choice of fashion.
Known for her classic style with strong tailored elements and conservative midi dresses from designers such as Catherine Walker & Co., Emilia Wickstead and Alessandra Rich, Kate’s Wimbledon wardrobe never fails to impress royal watchers and fashion commentators.
Over her 11-year marriage to Prince William, Kate has debuted a range of fashionable outfits to watch the world class tennis tournament but since 2017 nearly all have been worn with one special accessory, a simple purple and green ribbon.
Whether wearing bespoke Dolce & Gabbana or an elegant Emilia Wickstead dress, the purple and green ribbon is seen pinned to the royal’s chest, but what does it mean?
As the 2022 Wimbledon championship finals approach, Newsweek has the answer.
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The Ribbon
Kate’s mystery ribbon has a pertinent association with tennis which is why she wears it to Wimbledon each year.
Formed into a bow, the purple and green ribbon comprises the official colors of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the organization which hosts the Wimbledon championships each year and of which Kate is patron.
The ribbon bow is the traditional badge worn by high-ranking female members of the organization where male members wear colored ties.
Kate has worn her ribbon since 2017 and was most recently seen sporting it with her Alessandra Rich polka dot dress as she watched a semi-final mens’ singles match between British hopeful Cameron Norrie and Belgian pro Jannik Sinner on July 7.
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The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC)
Kate is a known tennis fan and has attended Wimbledon almost every year since marrying Prince William in 2011.
In 2016 it was announced that the queen was appointing Kate the patron of the AELTC, a position that she had previously held since acceding to the throne in 1952.
The queen, though known to be a passionate sportswoman with a keen interest which spans disciplines, is reportedly not an enthusiastic follower of tennis. In her 64 years as patron of the AELTC, the monarch only visited the Wimbledon championships four times.
When Kate was first made patron she joined the queen’s cousin, the Duke of Kent, as a royal presence within the organization. The duke had been AELTC president for over 40 years and when Kate was appointed, he shared his duties of presenting the finals prizes with her.
The duke and Kate attended the championships together on certain days of the events, with patron and president photographed side-by-side in the center court’s famous royal box. The duke stepped down as president in 2021 and Kate is expected to take on the rest of his ceremonial duties at the club, however, it has been reported, per The Telegraph, that the club has no plans to appoint a new president.
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Kate’s attendance at the 2022 Wimbledon championships with Prince William on July 7 was widely reported on as the couple appeared to share some lighthearted moments.
On first entering the royal box, Kate was filmed blowing a kiss to her mother, Carole Middleton, who was seated a short distance away with husband Michael.
Later, when the royals moved to the smaller No. 1 court to watch Norrie v. Sinner, William was shown on the match’s official broadcast appearing to utter an expletive at a tense moment which went viral on social media.
The final matches for the mens’ and womens’ singles championships will take place on July 9 and 10 with Kate expected to present the prizes on at least one of these occasions.
