There is only one place to be in SW19 during Wimbledon fortnight, and this year's Championships have drawn quite the crowd. From football managers to Lionesses, athletics legends to Oscar-nominated actors, the Royal Box at the All England Club has been the hottest seat in sport — and day eight delivered its biggest name yet.
Roger Federer, the eight-time Wimbledon singles champion, returned to his favourite stomping ground on Monday looking every inch the statesman of tennis: sharp, unhurried and dressed in a tailored olive double-breasted suit. The Swiss great, who called time on his playing career in 2022, has remained a fixture in the tennis world, and there are few occasions that suit him quite as naturally as a fortnight on the grass in SW19.
A Royal Box That Has Had It All
Federer's arrival capped a first week of celebrity appearances that has covered virtually every corner of British — and international — sporting culture. The Royal Box, which offers cushioned green wicker seats and the finest view of Centre Court, is reserved for personal guests of All England Club Chair Deborah Jevans, making an invitation one of the more coveted in British public life.
Athletics royalty turned out in force on Day Seven, with Jonathan Edwards and Paula Radcliffe — both world record holders — sitting side by side, while Dame Kelly Holmes completed an impressive trio. Edwards's triple jump world record, set more than 30 years ago, still stands.

The Lionesses have been a consistent presence throughout the first week, with Lauren James, Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Michelle Agyemang and Keira Walsh all spotted over the weekend. Captain Leah Williamson attended with her father David, while Alessia Russo took her turn in the Royal Box on Monday.
Pep Guardiola, who left Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season, was spotted soaking up a different sport entirely — and has not yet confirmed where he will manage next.
Sir Gareth Southgate attended on Saturday alongside his wife Alison, while former England captain Ben Stokes — who this week retired from international cricket — appeared to be enjoying the rather more relaxed role of spectator.

Rugby was well represented too, with Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Biggar and Danny Care taking up, as the source material diplomatically put it, a little more room than average in the Royal Box. Golfers Sam Torrance, Charley Hull and Ian Baker-Finch were also among the guests, as were football figures including Marco Van Basten and Phil Foden, who sat side by side on one occasion.
Style Notes From SW19
Away from the Royal Box, the broader Wimbledon crowd has been putting on quite the fashion display. The Princess of Wales made her first appearance of the 2026 tournament on day four in a bright blue double-breasted Gabriela Hearst suit, paired with Ralph Lauren pumps and sapphire earrings — a look sharp enough to dominate the style conversation for the rest of the day.
Saturday proved the starriest day for arrivals, with Sienna Miller leading the fashion charge in a three-piece suit, while Emma Corrin, Naomi Ackie and Simone Ashley — the latter in all-white — all drew admiring glances. Ellie Goulding turned heads in the Royal Box wearing Chloé and carrying a Mulberry Bayswater bag.
Little Simz arrived in a black and white outfit complete with hat and leather waistcoat, meeting Michaela Coel — dressed in Loewe — in the Evian suite before heading to Centre Court.
One emerging trend spotted by fashion observers is so-called 'method dressing': guests arriving with tennis ball-adorned bags and accessories as a knowing nod to their surroundings — a move that says less 'I'm here to watch sport' and more 'I read the brief and came prepared.'
Day eight also brought Pippa Middleton to the All England Club, arriving alongside her mother Carole, while Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa made his entrance in a statement suit. With the quarter-finals approaching and the second week promising to raise the stakes both on and off the court, the competition for the most interesting seat in the house is as fierce as anything happening on the grass.















