Princess Charlotte’s pride in Princess Kate goes viral

Princess Charlotte’s reaction to Princess Kate getting a round of applause at the Wimbledon tennis championship in London went viral on Twitter.

Kate has been off work since January, following abdominal surgery and a later diagnosis of cancer but attended the men’s singles final on Sunday.

It was just her second appearance since Christmas Day, after a last-minute decision to go to Trooping the Colour, the official celebration of the monarch’s birthday each June in the English capital.

The Princess of Wales is a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, which hosts the Grand Slam, and the crowd gave the royal a standing ovation.

The other guests were not the only ones impressed with Kate as a picture from the day captured Charlotte, 9, glowing with admiration.

One fan who posted the image on Twitter wrote: “Princess Charlotte looking so proud of her Mum!!”

The message went viral, receiving more than 1.1 million times. One reply read: “Princess Catherine is so beautiful because she looks healthy and energetic. I love this picture.

“They’re so adorable together. I love the way Princess Charlotte looks at her mother.”

It was an extra-special day for Charlotte, who met the women’s singles champion Barbora Krejčiková—and was given her tennis racket as a present.

Quoted in the U.K. newspaper Daily Mail, Kate replied, “that’s so special,” and added: “Thank you very much; we really appreciate it.”

Kate described how “as a family, we play a lot” during a warm exchange with Krejčiková, who won the tournament on Saturday.

Prince William and Prince George did not go to Wimbledon, and instead traveled to Germany to watch England’s men’s soccer team play in the final of Euro 2024 against Spain.

The “Three Lions” lost 2-1, despite a spirited performance, shattering the country’s hopes of its first trophy for the men’s team since 1966.

That left Kate to accompany her younger sister, Pippa Matthews, and daughter Charlotte for a day at the tennis in the sunshine.

It was a welcome moment of light relief after a difficult year. On top of her health problems, Kate was subjected to a wave of social-media speculation.

A trend for asking “where is Kate Middleton” took the internet by storm in February and March, and became turbocharged when it transpired a Mother’s Day picture of Kate released on March 10 had been edited in multiple places.

While some of the internet commentary was light-hearted, some people also indulged in morbid and, at points, grotesque conspiracy theories.

The wild speculation was put to rest when Kate appeared in person in London at Trooping the Colour, King Charles III‘s birthday parade, on June 15, though she is still not back at work full time.

The royals normally have their summer holiday in August, meaning Kate is unlikely to return to work until fall at the earliest, though the palace has always said the decision will be taken based on medical advice.

Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.

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