LOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS
Kate Middleton reveals Prince Louis was ‘very upset’ to miss Wimbledon as Charlotte and George watched gobsmacking final
THE Prince and Princess of Wales and two of their children enjoyed a gobsmacking Wimbledon men’s singles final — but Prince Louis was “very upset” to miss out.
Kate, Wills, George and Charlotte were left open-mouthed by Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz’s win over seven-time champion Novak Djokovic
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Charlotte, eight, sat between her mum and nine-year-old brother George in the Royal Box on her first visit to SW19.
Children must be aged five to be allowed into Centre Court.
Louis turned five in April but Wills and Kate decided he should stay at home.
The eldest siblings were spotted chatting and sneakily picking their noses.
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George looked just like dad William in a navy suit and striped tie in Wimbledon colours.
Charlotte wore pink sunglasses when the sun came out, and had her hands on her head after one unbelievable game.
Wills also introduced George to James Bond actor Daniel Craig, seated a few rows behind.
Kate, in a £750 Roland Mouret dress, stayed in her seat while William took the youngsters for a short break in the fourth set.
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Earlier Charlotte held her mum’s hand and walked ahead of George and William to reach the Players’ Lawn and greet staff and police dog Stella.
Kate, who is patron of the All England Club, told Ella Ottaway, who runs its young people programme: “This is Charlotte’s first time, George came last year. They've been eagerly watching.
“Charlotte you’ve been getting to grips with the scoring.
“Louis was very upset he wasn’t coming today.”
Kate told ball boy Joel, 16, how Louis has been auditioning for a courtside role.
After their chat, Joel said: “He (Louis) tries to practise the standing and staying serious like us.”
Kate spoke of her admiration for the tough job, telling another ball boy: “You feel it on your legs because you’ve been doing squats all day.”
The three royal siblings all play tennis — with Swiss star Roger Federer even giving George a private lesson.
Charlotte petted springer spaniel Stella who searched Centre Court on her last day before retiring.
The princess was also introduced to Mu’awwiz Anwar, eight, representing the charity WaterAid, who performed the coin toss at the final.
Later Kate beamed as she presented the trophy to Alcaraz, 20, who called the victory a “dream come true”.
Kate also comforted Serbian star Djokovic, 36, as she handed him the runner-up plate.
Alcaraz said it was “really special” to play in front of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Spain’s King Felipe VI — who gave him a thumbs up.
The new champ was later introduced to all the royals.
Alcaraz was not born the last time someone other than Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray won Wimbledon, in 2002.
Speaking after the five-set thriller, Alcaraz told Djokovic: “You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis watching you.
“Since I was born you were already winning tournaments.
“You said 36 is the new 36 and you make that happen. It’s amazing.”
He added: “It was unbelievable to play in these stages.
“It’s amazing for a boy — 20 years-old — I didn’t expect to reach this situation really fast.
“I am really proud of myself, for the team and the work we put in every day to be able to lift this.
“After the first set I thought ‘Carlos, increase the level. Everyone would be disappointed’.”
Djokovic became emotional after being beaten in more than 4½ hours.
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In the final set he smashed his racket against a net post in frustration.
He said afterwards: “It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close.”
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