Inside Kate Middleton and Roger Federer’s very playful friendship, from breaking royal protocol with THREE kisses to putting him through his paces on the court
- Princess of Wales and ace have shared many playful moments over the years
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Sporty Kate Middleton may be renowned for her competitive nature – but she’s got one close friend whom she may never beat on the tennis court.
For the Princess of Wales, 41, has enjoyed an enduring friendship with tennis ace Roger Federer for many years.
The royal mother-of-three was among those enthusiastically applauding as Federer, 41, was honoured for his stellar sporting achievements on centre court yesterday following his retirement from the game last year.
As the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s patron and a sports fan, the Princess is a regular of the Royal Box and has cultivated a strong bond with the eight-times Wimbledon winner.
She even broke royal protocol in 2017 and planted three kisses on his cheeks as she congratulated the sportsman, who has given her son Prince George tennis lessons, for winning the tournament for the eighth time, while the Prince of Wales and Federer’s wife Mirka watched on.
Sporty Kate Middleton, 41, and tennis legend Roger Federer showcased their close friendship yesterday
The playful friendship extends beyond the court, with Kate and Roger working on several projects together and both starring in a video highlighting the work of ball boys and girls in late June, where the royal put the tennis star through his paces.
Here FEMAIL reveals how the friends have displayed their close bond over the years.
Cheeky tennis match for Wimbledon
Kate and Roger have worked on several projects together over the years and most recently, they appeared in a video to highlight the work of ball boys and girls at the upcoming tournament.
During the four-minute video, which was uploaded on Wimbledon’s YouTube channel, the Princess of Wales is seen serving against Federer.
Kate managed to get a shot past the Swiss star, prompting him to exclaim: ‘I think it was on the line. Amazing!’
On top of this, the royal also received training from a ball girl called Mollie on how best to throw the balls to players.
In one cheeky moment, Federer even scolds the Princess for catching a ball instead of letting it bounce.
He said: ‘Are you allowed to do that? At Australia, they catch it but in Wimbledon, they don’t!’
The pair worked together on a video highlighting the work of ball boys and ball girls at Wimbledon in a video shared in late June
What’s more, the Princess also took the opportunity to try to get some sneaky coaching advice from the former world No1.
‘Any tips on my serve at the same time would be very helpful,’ Kate said.
But Federer replied only with a compliment, saying: ‘The serve looks good.’
After getting her shot past the 41-year-old, who retired from the sport last year, Kate gives a celebratory pat on the shoulder to her doubles partner Joel Eboewe, a coach with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, which gives free lessons to local children.
The video ends with Kate and Roger visiting one of the indoor training centres – were the Princess praised the ‘incredible’ young people who have been selected to work this year’s tournament.
His biggest royal fan
The Princess of Wales gave Federer a compassionate pat on his arm when he lost to Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2019
Kate planted three kisses on Federer’s cheeks after he won Wimbledon for the eighth time in 2017
As a fan, Kate has been seen cheering Roger on several times throughout his career as he battled it out on the court at Wimbledon.
She also offered him his unwavering support during tough time, including in 2019 after he lost against Novak Djokovic.
Presenting Federer with the runner-up trophy following an intense game that lasted almost five hours, Kate had friendly words of consolation for the tennis ace, and gently patted him on the arm as the world watched on.
Five years earlier, the Princess put on a particularly animated display as Federer took on Novak Djokovic in a nail biting final that was eventually won by the Serbian, making his the World’s Number One in front of Rafael Nadal and Federer, who was bumped to third place.
In 2017, Kate shocked fans by breaking royal protocol when she planted three kisses on Federer’s cheeks to congratulate him on winning Wimbledon for the eighth time.
Three kisses is considered a traditional greeting in Federer’s native Switzerland.
In November the same year, he and wife Mirka were seen visiting Kate and William with their four children Myla Rose, Charlene Riva, Leo and Lennart.
The whole family loves him too – especially Carol
The tennis ace was a surprise guest at Pippa’s wedding to James Matthews in 2017 at St Mark’s Church, at Englefield Estate, Berkshire, near Bucklebury Manor, the Middleton family home
The family, whom Kate has previously revealed have long been tennis fans, regularly attend Wimbledon and have seen him play a number of times
Roger is not only a friend of Kate, but is beloved by the whole Middleton clan.
The family, whom Kate has previously revealed have long been tennis fans, regularly attend Wimbledon and have seen him play a number of times.
The tennis ace then befriended Kate’s sister Pippa after she interviewed him for Vanity Fair at Wimbledon in 2013.
The tennis ace was a surprise guest at Pippa’s wedding to James Matthews in 2017 at St Mark’s Church, at Englefield Estate, Berkshire, near Bucklebury Manor, the Middleton family home.
He was spotted arriving for the event hand-in-hand with his wife Mirka, who looked elegant in a cream ensemble.
Kate also joked that Carol is particularly a fan of the dapper Swiss player.
Speaking at Wimbledon in 2017, the Princess of Wales said: ‘Roger is my mother’s heartthrob.
‘I don’t think she will mind me saying that! I think he probably knows that too.’
In 2018, Roger was spotted popping out for dinner with Pippa with their spouses and Carole.
And Federer confirmed in 2019 that he was giving Prince George private lessons helping to mould the prince into a budding tennis player.
The Swiss legend revealed he had visited the home of the Kate’s parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire, to meet the young prince – where he was able to hone his technique as they hit some balls together.
Federer confirmed in 2019 that he was giving Prince George private lessons helping to mould the prince into a budding tennis player
Speaking after his second round victory over Britain’s Jay Clarke at Wimbledon, Federer said that ‘cute’ George had a ‘good’ tennis technique.
When questioned by reporters about his knockabout with George, Federer said: ‘At that stage it’s all about just touch the ball, it’s already good.
‘Same with my boys. I think I have a little advantage that I actually spent some time, you know, with him.’
He added: ‘I’m the only player he’s ever met. Then you have a little head start in who is your favourite player.’
The tennis superstar described the prince as a ‘cute boy’.
He added: ‘I love to see that they’re into tennis or into sports … his mum has always enjoyed their tennis … I hope that he’ll still say the same in a few years’ time.’
During her surprise visit to SW19 that same year, Kate first told how her son had faced Federer, one of the greats of the sport.
She revealed that her young son is a huge admirer of the sporting star – who’s regularly dubbed GOAT, the greatest of all time – and that he had enjoyed a knock-about on court with him at the family’s Norfolk retreat.
Joint charity projects
As well as enjoying a close friendship, the pair have also worked together on charity initiatives (pictured together in 2019)
As well as enjoying a close friendship, the pair have also worked together on charity initiatives.
Last year, it was announced the pair would take part in a joint engagement with a day of tennis with schoolchildren in east London.
The royal and the Swiss tennis ace were due to meet children aged 8-15 for a ‘memorable and engaging tennis experience’.
The day of tennis formed part of a joint charitable initiative that would benefit two organisations backed by the Princess.
All proceeds raised from tickets to the Laver Cup Open Practice Day were split between Action for Children and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), whose charitable arm is the LTA Tennis Foundation.
The Laver Cup is a three-day team competition co-founded by Federer that sees six of the best players from Europe compete against six of their counterparts from the Rest of the World.
Unfortunately, Kate was unable to attend the day due to the late Queen’s passing – but it’s possible they will plan to organise the charity day for a second time this year.
Very friendly display at Wimbledon
And yesterday, Kate’s close bond with Roger was on full display when she put on a friendly display in a special ceremony at Wimbledon yesterday
Kate has been taking tennis lessons for a number of years, becoming a ‘good minor athlete’ with a ‘nice top spin’, according to one report. Above, the Duchess of Cambridge plays tennis during a visit to Edinburgh in May 2021
And yesterday, Kate’s close bond with Roger was on full display when she put on a friendly display in a special ceremony at Wimbledon yesterday.
The Princess – who has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club since 2016 – looked elegant as she arrived at the All England Club wearing a smart pleated white skirt and mint £1,950 Balmain blazer.
As Roger was welcomed to the court, Kate rose to her feet and lead the crowd in a rapturous round of applause.
The Princess and Roger showcased their friendship, beaming as they greeted one another and affectionatey touching one another on the arm.
After sitting down alongside one another, they could be seen exchanging a few words and sharing a laugh as they watched the matches.
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