In fall 2022, Roger Federer retired from tennis, writing, “to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” At the time of his retirement, he had won 20 Grand Slams—eight of those at Wimbledon. In July 2023, Federer returned to the All England Lawn Tennis Club for the first time as a spectator—and sat in the Royal Box next to Kate Middleton.

“It was so fun sitting next to Princess Catherine,” Federer said at the time. “I know her quite well. She is an avid tennis fan, and she plays herself.” He added, “Sometimes we have to be careful we don’t speak too much. You can talk, and then it’s super-quiet, and then you have to applaud.”

Today, Federer and his wife, Mirka, returned to Wimbledon, again in the Royal Box—but this time, they were seated next to Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester. (The Federers were also two rows in front of Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.)

Federer has long been close with the royal family; he even gave Prince George a tennis lesson at Kate and William’s Norfolk home, Anmer Hall. “His mum has always enjoyed tennis,” Federer said, referring to Kate. “I hope he’ll stay the same in a few years’ time and this is not just an in-the-moment situation.”

The Duchess of Gloucester is one of many members of the royal family to attend Wimbledon this year, and is an avid tennis fan. In fact, the Duchess has been the Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association, Britain’s official tennis organization, for over 25 years. She’s a regular attendee of the tournament, and frequently attends more than one day each year.