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Louise Thomas
Editor
Wimbledon’s Royal Box is known for hosting a starry guest list – and there are plenty of familiar faces in the stands on day five.
They will be watching as Emma Raducanu returns to centre court to face the world number nine Maria Sakkari after a stunning victory against Elise Mertens on day four to reach the third round.
It comes just one day after Andy Murray thanked Wimbledon organisers for an “emotional” farewell ceremony after his final appearance in the Championships began with a defeat alongside his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.
Above the mingling crowds, fans can expect to see some famous faces over the next two weeks. Each year, the Royal Box is a focal point of celebrity happenings, like last year when American musician Ariana Grande caused a frenzy among her fans when she appeared at the men’s singles final not wearing her wedding ring.
Keep up with Wimbledon 2024 via our liveblog.
The Royal Box, situated in the prime-viewing slot at Centre Court, has been used for the entertainment of friends and guests of Wimbledon since 1922, and it has 74 exclusive seats. Invitations are sent by the Chairman of the All England Club, but members of The Championships’ Organising Committee and The Lawn Tennis Association can make suggestions.
Many celebrities are returning guests, like Beckham and his mother Sandra, while new generations of actors and public figures are inducted into the Wimbledon VIP world each year.
Find out all of the familiar faces in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, below:
Day five
Today’s Royal Box guests include Dustin Hoffman, Marcus Wareing, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Emily Eavis.
The Graduate actor Dustin Hoffman attended with his wife Lisa. Meanwhile, the celebrity chef arrived at the tournament alongside his wife Jane and Glastonbury Festival organiser Eavis arrived off the back of another successful year at Worthy Farm, which saw headline sets from Dua Lipa and SZA.
Day four
Thursday’s VIP attendees included Bear Grylls and the Princess of Wales’ parents. The 50-year-old adventurer and TV presenter attended alongside his wife Shara while Carole Middleton stepped out for the tennis alongside Kate’s father Michael.
Day three
Wednesday saw Theresa May and tennis star Maria Sharapova in the stands. The former prime minister, who served from 2016 to 2019, attended alongside her husband Phillip. Meanwhile, former world number one tennis player Sharapova took a seat alongside her fiancé, British businessman Alexander Gilkes.
Day two
Wimbledon’s second day saw Sir Cliff Richard, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon all watching the tennis drama unfold.
Richard, who is a regular face among the crowds, was joined by his friend and ITN newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald. Meanwhile, 55-year-old rocker Grohl was joined by his wife and director, Jordyn Blum and Duran Duran’s Le Bon took a seat beside them.
Day one
Monday’s crew of A-listers were a familiar crowd, including David Attenborough, Baroness Floella Benjamin and David Beckham.
The 98-year-old Planet Earth presenter and his daughter Susan have made a tradition of attending the games together over previous tournaments. Meanwhile, former England footballer Beckham is known for bringing along his mother, Sandra, to the tennis championships each year.
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