Kate Middleton Invited Honorary Membership in All England Club

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 29th January 2013

Kate Middleton Invited Honorary Membership in All England Club

epa03342987 Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (C) applauds on the stand during the London 2012 Olympic Games Artistic Gymnastics competition, London, Britain, 05 August 2012. EPA/ROLF VENNENBERND |

Although the Duchess of Cambridge, the former Kate Middleton, is expecting a royal baby in July and seems unlikely to attend this summer’s Wimbledon Championships, she has accepted honorary membership of the All England Club.

An official spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: The Duchess was pleased to accept the kind offer, particularly given her interest in tennis.”

The Duchess is a keen player and is already a member of the rival Queen’s Club in West London, where the annual AEGON Championships are played a fortnight before Wimbledon.

In recent years the Duchess has become a familiar sight in the Royal Box on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, often together with her husband Prince William. She also sat next to her sister Pippa to watch the Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to win Olympic gold last August.

Many All England Club members believe the Duchess will be invited to succeed the 77 year-old Duke of Kent as club president when he decides to stand down.

Andy Roddick, who retired at last year’s US Open and has been beaten in three Wimbledon finals, has also been awarded honorary membership, usually an honor bestowed upon actual champions.

Topics: AEGON Championships, All England Club, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, Queen's Club, Wimbledon Championships