Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of Princess Margaret, participates in the Wimbledon Quarterfinals event.
In the world of tennis, the prestigious Wimbledon Championships has long been a stage for both sporting excellence and royal tradition. This year, the spotlight shone on the Chatto family, as they were the only members of the royal family present at Wimbledon.
The Chattos, including Samuel, rumored girlfriend of artist Eleanor Ekserdjian, joined the ranks of regular attendees at Wimbledon. The iconic Royal Box, a symbol of the tournament's historic ties with the British monarchy, played host to them on Centre Court.
First established in 1922, the Royal Box was designed to accommodate members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries, offering them a privileged view of the matches. Over the decades, it has remained a highly symbolic space, representing the rich history of Wimbledon and the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II, for instance, made her first visit to Wimbledon as Queen in 1957, a testament to this tradition.
Historically, the Royal Box was reserved for royals and select VIPs, with strict adherence to formal dress codes and seating arrangements reflecting their rank and status. However, over time, the composition of guests has modernised to include a mix of royals, celebrities, and senior figures in tennis and British society.
The royal presence at Wimbledon tends to coincide with major matches, especially finals, emphasising the prestige of these occasions within the tournament’s social hierarchy. Notable guests in the Royal Box this year included actors Mark Rylance, Ian McKellen, Sienna Miller, and Oli Green.
One of the most notable attendees was Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's daughter. She kept a relatively low profile before her recent appearances at Royal Ascot and Wimbledon. At Wimbledon, she was photographed speaking with actress Jodie Foster and Patti Röckenwagner during the event.
The protocol towards royals sitting in the Royal Box has evolved over the decades. In 2003, the All England Club changed its protocol regarding the Royal Box, and players no longer have to curtsey or bow to the box as they enter Centre Court, except when the monarch is present. King Charles, however, has yet to attend Wimbledon during his reign.
In the past, Princess Margaret, who attended Wimbledon a few times throughout her life, even presented the trophies in 1970. This year, it was Sarah Chatto who graced the Royal Box, marking a new chapter in the evolving tradition of the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
As the Chattos watched the tennis matches, they continued a tradition that blends sporting excellence with British ceremony. While the core protocols emphasising respect and formal reception remain, the composition of guests and the subtle nature of these traditions have modernised somewhat to stay relevant with contemporary social norms.
[1] Wimbledon.com. (2022). History of The Championships. [online] Available at: https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/history/index.html
[2] The Telegraph. (2016). The royal box at Wimbledon: a history. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2016/06/29/the-royal-box-at-wimbledon-a-history/
[3] The Guardian. (2013). Wimbledon's royal box: a history of the most prestigious seats in tennis. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/jun/26/wimbledon-royal-box-history-most-prestigious-seats-tennis
[4] The Royal Family. (2018). The Queen's First Visit to Wimbledon. [online] Available at: https://www.royal.uk/queens-first-visit-wimbledon
- The Chattos, with Samuel rumored to be dating artist Eleanor Ekserdjian, joined celebrities and other VIPs in the iconic Royal Box during the Wimbledon Championships, a symbol of both sporting excellence and royal tradition.
- Eleanor Ekserdjian, the girlfriend of Samuel Chatto, might have admired the rich culture and artistry that coincide with Wimbledon, as she watched the tennis matches alongside society figures in the Royal Box.
- Apart from enjoying the entertainment value of Wimbledon, style enthusiasts like Sienna Miller and Patti Röckenwagner could have gained inspiration from the fashionable attire displayed in the Royal Box, reflecting the latest trends in British society.
- The Chatto family's attendance at sports events like Wimbledon mirrors the growing overlap between the worlds of royals, celebrities, and sports, as they share a common interest in high-profile entertainment news.
- While keeping a low profile in the past, Lady Sarah Chatto has recently emerged as a notable figure in both the royal circle and British society, attending events such as Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, where she was spotted mingling with actress Jodie Foster and other influential figures.
