Wimbledon Royal Box: Who Could Turn Up on Finals Weekend?

Every year, the Wimbledon Royal Box becomes a guessing game. Hollywood actors, sporting greats, pop stars and royals all turn up to enjoy the tennis, and finals weekend is when speculation really builds. Here is a look at the leading names and the odds that were being quoted ahead of the women’s and men’s finals.

A quick note on odds: a price such as 4/6 means the bookmakers think a person is more likely than not to show up, while 5/1 suggests a long shot. They are a fun way to measure the buzz, nothing more.

A star-studded fortnight in the Wimbledon Royal Box

By the closing days of the tournament, the guest list had already been one of the most glamorous in memory. Sir David Beckham, Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson, Roger Federer, Cate Blanchett, Olivia Rodrigo, John Cena, Russell Crowe, Sir Ian McKellen and Sienna Miller were among those enjoying the hospitality.

The women’s final on Saturday

The royal favourite was Princess Catherine, a 4/6 shot to attend. The previous year, the women’s final had no “bona fide HRHs” in the box, as the official Wimbledon website put it. She had been unwell and missed it, though she made a surprise appearance at the men’s final the next day.

She could be joined by Prince William at 6/4, while Princess Beatrice, who had already attended on day one, was Evens to return.

On the star front, Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale were among last year’s women’s final guests, so some Hollywood presence seems likely again. Sienna Miller, Cate Blanchett and Rebel Wilson were all tipped as possibles.

From the villa to the volleys

Love Island host Maya Jama looked to be having the time of her life at the previous women’s final, and she was 15/8 to return. There was a catch, though. The ITV2 dating show was in its Casa Amor stage, so she might be needed for filming in Mallorca.

Other names in the frame for Saturday:

• Dame Mary Berry, the former Great British Bake Off judge, at 3/1
• Celia Imrie, from The Thursday Murder Club, at 5/1
• Dame Sarah Storey at 9/2

Sir Steve Redgrave was 11/2 to attend the men’s final on Sunday.

The men’s final on Sunday

Sunday is often the bigger stage for famous guests, with the final match of the whole championships on court.

The big names in the box at the previous men’s final were acting royalty Tom Cruise, who was 7/2 to return, and Julia Roberts. This time, newly knighted Sir David Beckham was the 11/10 favourite to attend, perhaps with his former England teammate Gareth Southgate, who was 2/1.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were 5/4 and 11/8 respectively to come down to SW19 on Sunday, and Princess Beatrice was a 3/1 chance.

Sir Cliff Richard, a big Wimbledon fan, was all smiles on day nine in a jazzy blazer for a rare public appearance. He was 6/4 to be back for the men’s final.

Enjoying the guessing game

Of course, the Royal Box is part of the fun. Whoever ends up in the seats, the tradition of putting famous faces beside the greatest tennis in the world is one of the sport’s most enjoyable summer talking points. Watch the cameras on finals weekend and see how many of these predictions come true. Even the royal absences make the story interesting, as the previous women’s final showed.