Tennis icon Roger Federer shared a moment with Carole and Pippa Middleton at Wimbledon on Monday, engaging with fans during a break in their conversation. The eight-time Wimbledon champion, who has known the Middleton family for years, was seen interacting with Kate Middleton's mother and sister in the Royal Box.
Footage shared on Instagram captured Federer turning to greet Carole and Pippa before the group ascended to the Champions' balcony. During their exchange, Federer politely excused himself to wave at enthusiastic fans, who responded with expressions of gratitude. Both Carole and Pippa appeared charmed by the tennis star's gesture.
Federer's wife, Mirka, and the couple attended Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews in 2017. Over the years, Federer and Pippa have been observed at various events, including dinners in London. Their friendship is believed to have originated when Pippa interviewed Federer for Vanity Fair in 2013. During the interview, Pippa, who was a contributing editor for the magazine at the time, inquired about Federer's daily routine, including his breakfast habits and the number of tennis balls he hit during practice.
While Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was not present at this particular moment, she has previously spoken about her mother's admiration for Federer. In a 2017 BBC documentary, the then-Duchess of Cambridge remarked that Federer was her mother's "heartthrob," adding that she suspected he was aware of this sentiment.
Carole and Pippa Middleton were in attendance on day eight of the Championships. Pippa wore a floral Reformation dress paired with sunglasses and white heels, while Carole opted for a white maxi dress from Me+Em, a blue blazer by Catherine Walker, a Longchamp bag, and Emmy London slingback heels. Both mother and sister are known enthusiasts of tennis and are frequent attendees at Wimbledon.
Earlier in the tournament, the Princess of Wales attended matches on Court Number One and Court 18, deviating from her usual attendance in the Royal Box. She was seen engaging with fans, some of whom had queued overnight, and was observed reacting expressively to a tense match. The Princess, who is a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, has been a regular at Wimbledon since 2011, with notable absences due to pregnancy and the tournament's cancellation in 2020.