Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Wimbledon in tearful moment on court

Princess Kate has long been an avid lover and supporter of Wimbledon, attending the annual tennis tournament numerous times over the years. Many royal spectators are hoping to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Wales at SW19 this weekend for the finals, with many also wishing that Kate will be tasked with handing out championship trophies as she has in years past.

In 2023, Kate who has been patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, was tasked with handing out the winners and runner-up trophies at Wimbledon, where she had a sweet moment with one emotional tennis champion.

While handing out awards, Kate met Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur, who appeared teary on the court after coming runner-up in two consecutive finals. It was a tough time for the athlete as she also lost at the US Open Final that year.

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As Kate presented her with her prize, the two women stopped to talk, as the Princess offered words of encouragement to the visibly distressed athlete.

Then, in a surprising moment that goes against royal protocol, Kate embraced Jabeur in a long and supportive hug, which the athlete later reflected on in an interview.

Jabeur said: "Obviously, she was very nice. She didn't know if she wanted to give me a hug or not. I told her hugs are always welcome from me."

When she was asked what Kate had said to her, she added: "Same thing after last year. To encourage me to be strong, to come back and win a Grand Slam, win a Wimbledon."

Speaking to Hello!, Jabeur added that it was the Princess who initiated the embrace, saying: "She was really the nicest. She has watched me twice, losing the final twice. She kept asking me if she could hug me, and I was like, 'Who doesn't want a hug from a Princess', you know?"

"For me, it was such an amazing moment. And not just that, I felt her kindness and energy around me."

Princess Kate has been an avid tennis fan since she was young, with the royal telling Sue Barker in a 2017 BBC documentary: "I have always watched Wimbledon, that was very much part of my growing up.

"I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game. It hasn't changed either, I think that's what's so wonderful."

Many royal fans are hoping Kate will be present in the royal box at Wimbledon this weekend for the finals of the tournament. Last year, the Princess of Wales made an appearance with her sister Pippa and daughter Princess Charlotte in tow, making her second public appearance of the year since undergoing cancer treatment.

The only year Kate missed sitting courtside for Wimbledon was 2013, when she was advised by her doctors to stay home as she was heavily pregnant with Prince George at the time.