Kate Middleton’s sister Pippa suffers awkward moment with Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz
PIPPA Middleton suffered an award moment at Wimbledon when she tried to meet champion Carlos Alcaraz.
As Princess Kate, 42, made a triumphant return to the tennis tournament on Sunday, she was supported by daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, and sister Pippa, 40.
Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte spoke to the reigning Spanish champion off the court and shared how they’d been watching his performance at home.
After the sweet interaction, Prince William’s wife attempted to introduce Pippa to Carlos, but he didn’t notice and walked away waving to the crowds.
Speaking to Carlos, Kate had said: “This is Charlotte, [she was] cheering you on. You had everything crossed.”
Champion Carlos replied: “Nice to meet you.”
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Kate, who has been undergoing cancer treatment and recovering away from duties, said: “We've watched a lot on telly, so it's great to finally get to meet you.”
During the interaction, Pippa politely stood behind smiling and waited for the moment to be introduced.
As their conversation drew to a close, Kate said: “Best of luck, enjoy the weather.”
Carlos replied: “Thank you”, before nodding to Princess Charlotte.
Meanwhile, Kate then took a few steps back to seemingly introduce her sister to Carlos too.
As they took a step forward, the tennis champ started to walk away to the crowd’s applause and didn’t realise he had missed the moment of meeting Pippa.
KATE’S WIMBLEDON RETURN
Moments before, Kate had handed champion Carlos, 21, his golden cup as he retained his Wimbledon title against rival Novak Djokovic.
It marks her second public appearance of the year amid ongoing cancer treatment.
Kate said she was "glad to be back" at Wimbledon today as the royal was greeted with a standing ovation and roaring crowds.
The royal stunned in a custom purple £1,300 Safiyaa Cecilia dress and wore her hair in loose curls, while pairing the elegant outfit with gold jewellery.
She also donned her signature small bow pin to celebrate the occasion.
Only those who are part of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), of which Kate is patron, can wear the pin.
It features the private club's colours, “Wimbledon purple” and “Wimbledon green".
The mum-of-three was snapped laughing with daughter Princess Charlotte, nine, as the pair took their seats to resounding applause.
The young royal stepped out in a navy and white polka-dot dress, complimented by a blue bow hair accessory.
Pippa also stunned in a pink floral dress as she joined her sister and niece.
The Princess of Wales shared a message to mark her appearance and support social media, saying: "Great to be back at @Wimbledon!," it read.
"There's nothing quite like The Championships."
Special role Pippa Middleton could get when Kate is Queen
KATE Middleton is extremely close to her family, including mum Carole and sister Pippa.
And when Prince William’s wife becomes Queen one day, her beloved family members could be in line for some special honours.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous that Pippa Middleton could be given a similar role to Queen Camilla’s younger sister, Annabel Elliott, who is one of her six “companions”.
He said: “I certainly think there could be a role for Pippa as a lady-in-waiting or companion type role.
“This needs to be someone the then Queen can trust and rely on, and who better than her sister?
“Pippa has some commercial interests but I’m sure by the time Kate becomes Queen she would be happy to fulfil that role if required.
“It’s not necessarily a full time job so she would be available.
“We all know what a sensation she was at their wedding in 2011 and since then she has kept a relatively low profile and of course is happily married.”
Another person he thought could be in line for a “companion” position is Kate’s stylist and close friend Natasha Archer, as she is “someone else she trusts and would be ideal for a supportive post.”
KATE’S HEALTH BATTLE
It is the mum-of-three's first public appearance since she attended Trooping the Colour for King Charles' birthday last month.
In June, the Princess was seen beaming as she stood side by side with the Monarch on Buckingham Palace's balcony.
It was the first time Princess Kate had attended a royal event since she and Charles were diagnosed with cancer.
Her appearance at Trooping the Colour came after she issued an update on her health battle.
In a personal statement, Kate said: "I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last
couple of months.
"It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times.
"I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days.
"On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to
your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.
"My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.
"I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
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"I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.
"Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me."