The News
Duke of Kent Fumes as Meghan Markle’s Move Clears Middleton Family from Wimbledon’s Royal Box
Reports have emerged revealing an incident at Wimbledon where Pippa and Carol Middleton, part of the Middleton family, were allegedly barred from their usual seats in the prestigious Royal Box.
The Middletons, much like Princess Diana, have been a familiar sight in the Centre Court's Royal Box over the years, with parents Carol and Michael, as well as siblings Pippa and James, regularly attending.
According to Wimbledon protocol, the Middletons are entitled to one of the 74 seats in the Royal Box reserved for members of the Royal Family and guests invited by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
In the past, celebrities like Kate Winslet, Tom Cruise, and Andrew Garfield, along with notable figures such as Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman, have enjoyed watching the tennis matches from the exclusive Royal Box.
However, in 2019, Carol and Pippa Middleton faced obstacles entering the Royal Box, reportedly due to actions taken by Meghan Markle.
This controversial move left the Duke of Kent, Wimbledon's patron, incensed.
Meghan Markle, accompanied by her close friends Genevieve Hillis and Lindsay Roth, attended Wimbledon that year.
Surrounding Meghan and her companions were rows of unoccupied seats, leading to speculation that the Duchess or her security team had requested additional privacy measures.
The incident raised eyebrows given the traditional expectations and high visibility of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships.
During her tenure as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle made headlines for clearing out surrounding spectators to create a buffer zone around her seat at Wimbledon.
Despite being eligible to sit in the Royal Box if appropriately dressed, Meghan opted to remove paying attendees instead.
This move sparked controversy and criticism, with some attendees expressing disappointment at being displaced from their seats.
A peculiar moment occurred when a man was prevented from taking a photo, only to clarify that he was capturing a selfie and not including Meghan in the frame.
Wimbledon operates on a first-come, first-served basis for general seating, with no assigned spots.
Meghan's team reportedly arrived hours early to reserve seats, resulting in several fans, including Pippa and Carol Middleton, being unable to access the stadium for the match they intended to watch.
Meghan's desire for a secluded area at Wimbledon, solely for her use, drew attention to her alleged sense of entitlement.
While other members of the Royal Family, like Catherine, have occasionally opted to sit among regular ticket holders, they have never displaced paying attendees from their seats.
Body language expert Judy James highlighted subtle tensions between Meghan and Kate at the 2018 and 2019 Wimbledon tournaments, suggesting a strained dynamic between the two.
The evolving relationship between Meghan and Kate was evident in their interactions at Wimbledon, with signs of strained camaraderie rather than genuine warmth.
Despite efforts to dispel rumors of discord, their body language appeared formal and lacking the ease typically associated with close relationships.
The forced smiles and distant demeanor suggested a superficial connection rather than a genuine bond, indicating a shift in their dynamic over time.