A heat wave at this year’s Wimbledon tennis tournament has led to fans collapsing under the blazing sun and a shortage of water. But Kate Middleton looked cool as a cucumber when she arrived at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Saturday, despite the high temperatures. The Princess of Wales took a seat in the royal box next to a King—but not the one you’d expect, though Middleton’s seatmates were arguably tennis royalty.

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Billie Jean King and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, Patron of The AELTC shakes hands with Billie Jean King in the Royal Box prior to the the Ladies’ Singles Final between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Amanda Anisimova of United States on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Billie Jean King waves in the Royal Box, prior to the the Ladies’ Singles Final between Iga Swiatek of Poland and Amanda Anisimova of United States on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.

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Instead of King Charles III (who, Town and Country notes, has only attended Wimbledon twice, in 1970 and 2012), Kate Middleton was seated next to Billie Jean King, the tennis champ turned author who racked up 20 career titles at Wimbledon during her career (six in singles, 10 in women’s doubles, and four in mixed doubles). To Middleton’s right was Martina Navratilova, whose nine women’s singles wins remain an all-time record.

The women chatted and cheered during the women’s singles final between Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek and American Amanda Anisimova. Unlike some other spectators seated in the Royal Box this week, they appeared awake throughout.