How are famous faces invited into Wimbledon’s royal box?

The royal box was first installed in the southern stand at Wimbledon’s Centre Court when the grounds originally opened in 1922.

Since then, the 74-seater segregated area has hosted celebrities, sportspeople, royalty, and other famous faces on each day of the tournament.

Those invited do not have to queue or pay for entry, and are also invited to lunch before play begins as well as tea and drinks following the close of play. Those events take place in the adjacent clubhouse.

Guests are sent invitations by the chairperson of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), which since 2023 is former professional player Debbie Jevans.

Jevans takes into account suggestions from the the AELTC’S management committee, the Lawn Tennis Association, and other tennis bodies and prominent figures when selecting high profile guests.

Guests taking one of the dark green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs in the box can include less recognisable faces like commercial partners, delegates, dignitaries, and media professionals, as well as household names.

Some of those who attend the royal box are given frequent invitations, and can be seen courtside most years. Regulars are often celebrities who are seen as serious tennis fans, and include the likes of Sir David Beckham and Sir David Attenborough.

Others are famous faces whose schedule allows them the rare opportunity to attend. This year, for example, pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo sat in the royal box just a few days after headlining Glastonbury while in the midst of her UK tour.

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