Kate Middleton found herself in an amusingly awkward predicament when a ball girl informed her that she had inadvertently violated Wimbledon protocol. The Princess, who was filming a project focused on showcasing the tournament’s ballboys and girls, encountered the unexpected situation.
In the movie, she shared the screen with the renowned tennis player Roger Federer.
However, an uncomfortable incident unfolded during the filming when Kate intercepted a ball that was heading out-of-bounds.
Mollie, the ball girl standing next to Kate, praised her for the “impressive catch,” but Federer promptly raised a question about the appropriateness of her action.
He remarked, “Is that allowed? In Australia, they would catch it, but at Wimbledon, it’s not the norm.”
At that moment, Kate turned to the ball girl and inquired, “Oh, really? Are you allowed to do that?”
In response, the ball girl clarified the protocol, saying, “You’re not supposed to catch it. The usual procedure is to let it bounce and then retrieve it. But that was indeed a great catch!”
This incident occurred on the ballgirls’ and boys’ inaugural training day at the venue, in preparation for the tournament commencing on July 3.
On Court No. 3, Kate took part in a doubles match alongside the eight-time Wimbledon champion. Clad in her tennis whites, she engaged in a rally under the bright sunshine with the 41-year-old Federer. Afterward, she sought advice from him to improve her serve.
As the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Kate expressed in the film, “Wimbledon is known for its exceptionally skilled ballboys and ballgirls.”
Kate remarked on the tremendous effort and dedication required, stating, “The level of dedication and hard work behind the scenes is truly remarkable.
“The discipline and skills you acquire in this role can be applied to various aspects of life.
“Having the confidence and experiencing the sense of pride while being on any of the courts is truly a significant moment.”
