Kate Middleton ‘begged’ to attend event she loves but stayed back home

Kate Middleton hardly ever misses Wimbledon as one member of the Firm, because the Championship has always had a special link with the Royal Family.

The Princess of Wales is not only a huge tennis fan but a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and appears to have taken over the role of handing the singles champions their trophies, following on from the Duke and the late Duchess of Kent.

In recent years, she's made several visits during the tournament fortnight, and last week even surprised those waiting in the famous Wimbledon queue before handing out tickets and taking payment.

But despite appearing to be an ever present at the tournament, there was one year when she was advised not to attend the tournament, despite her pleas to be allowed to go and even missed a huge historic win.

It came 13 years ago in 2013 when Sir Andy Murray made it to the men's singles final and was gunning to become the first British man to win the Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936.

She told Sue Barker on the BBC documentary Our Wimbledon, "I was very heavily pregnant with George so I wasn't able to turn up." Sue replied, "But you had a great excuse!"

"I know but even still," Kate said. "I was sort of 'Maybe I could go' but the doctors were like 'no.' I wrote to [Andy Murray] afterwards saying sorry for not being there, but huge congratulations."

However, luckily three years later in 2016, when Murray made the final again, Kate was able to be there to see him lift his second Wimbledon title.

She attended the final with husband Prince William and couldn't contain her emotions when he scored the win.

Meeting Murray after his match, Kate said, "Many congratulations; it was a great game." While William said, "So pleased for you, well done", and Kate added, "You can relax with your family now."