GAME, SET, MATCH
Kate Middleton arrives at Wimbledon as she takes to Royal Box before Murray match
KATE Middleton has arrived at Wimbledon, taking to the Royal Box as Andy Murray prepares for his clash with Denis Shapovalov later today.
The Duchess will be in a prime position to watch the two tennis stars battle it out on Centre Court, with this year marking Murray’s first time in the singles draw at Wimbledon since 2017.
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Kate appeared to be beaming behind one of her signature floral masks as she waved to fans, while heading to the royal box to catch some of the action on court.
She was joined in the stands of Court 14 by British tennis legend Tim Henman.
The pair were watching Jamie Murray play in the doubles.
Henman was ranked British No 1 in 1996 and again from 1999 to 2005, after which he was succeeded by Andy Murray.
Denis Shapovalov has said he is "ready" for his clash with British great Andy Murray - but refuses to underestimate him.
Shapovalov said: "Obviously he's got all that experience and he seems to be in really good shape.
"I'm definitely ready. Physically, I feel great. Obviously, the two days rest helped a lot, so for sure I feel ready to go."
Meanwhile, Andy Murray has admitted his Wimbledon return has been "a bit tough so far".
Murray said: "It's just not easy when you've not played matches and you're not practicing that much just to maintain your concentration and focus for, you know, two-and-a-half, three hours at a time.
"I think once you start to play more matches again and get into that rhythm and get used to winning again, it becomes a bit more instinctive, a bit more natural.
Kate is an avid tennis fan, having arranged for Prince George to have lessons with ace Roger Federer and being the royal patron of Wimbledon.
According to Australian former world number one Rod Laver - who has sat with the couple in the Royal Box at Wimbledon - the royal couple frequently go head-to-head on court.
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Speaking to the , the ex-tennis ace said: "I’d met William and Kate a few times, and in the Royal Box you get a chance to chat with them a little bit.
"They play tennis against each other. William told me he couldn’t beat her."
Kate and William are famously competitive at sport.
Kate’s tennis appearance comes the day after Princes William and Harry met for the unveiling of their mum's statue.
Wills and Harry put on a brave face for yesterday’s event, which would have been Diana’s 60th birthday.
Harry and Wills reportedly headed back to Kensington Palace to chat privately after the unveiling, where the Duchess of Cambridge acted as a "peacekeeper".
She is said to "hold the key" to ending the brothers' rift and former royal butler Paul Burrell believes she is the only person who can bring them "back together".
He told Good Morning Britain: "They will go back to Kensington Palace after the ceremony which will be very small, very quick, and then they will meet up with Kate indoors.
"I think Kate holds the key to this. I think she is the peacekeeper.
"She is the person that is going to bring these boys back together."
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According to Burrell, if today doesn't bring the boys back together "nothing will".
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Speaking of how Kate can help, he said: "She knows they are both hurting. She knows they both want this to work.
"Kate has witnessed this first hand, she knows William wants this to work out."
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