Former British number one Heather Watson described the Queen as “super down-to-earth” after meeting her at Wimbledon on Day 10 of the Championships. Camilla made a surprise visit to the All England Club on Wednesday morning with her sister Annabel Elliott.
Royal Visit to Players' Area
The Queen entered the players’ area, located next to Centre Court, wearing a turquoise chiffon dress by designer Anna Valentine. She met a line-up of Wimbledon staff, players, and local workers, including Watson, 34, who said it was “lovely” to meet Camilla.
Speaking to the Press Association after the visit, Watson said of the Queen: “She’s super down-to-earth.” Asked what they discussed, she said: “I started sweating profusely with nerves. She asked me about Wimbledon and my career.” Watson said the royal took an interest in her career, adding: “She was lovely.”
Conversation with Annabel Elliott
The tennis star also spoke with Ms Elliott, who told Watson that “they’d been coming to Wimbledon since they were very young”. Watson added: “I met the previous Queen, I think it was over 10 years ago now, in exactly the same sort of place with Laura (Robson).”
Meeting Ball Boys and Girls
Camilla also spoke with ball boy Zebedee, who studies at Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School, and Aniya, who studies at The Tiffin Girls’ School. Zebedee said the experience was “very special”, and Aniya said: “It was an amazing experience. I really enjoyed it. It’s definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.” The royal asked the youngsters how long they had been ball girls and boys for, and what courts they had worked on.
Charity Chief Executive
The Queen also spoke with Richard Gammage, chief executive of City Harvest, a charity combating food waste. Mr Gammage said: “It was lovely to meet Her Majesty.” Asked what they discussed, he said: “We talked about what we do and how we do it, she was really interested in all of that. I had the great privilege of meeting her about 15 years ago when she was becoming involved with the Royal Air Force Station, and she remembered that, which was lovely.” He added: “She was interested in what we do with the food and what sort of groups the food goes to, because we do everything from women’s refugees to day centres for people who are rough sleeping, youth groups, school groups, church groups, a variety of denominations.”
Long-Standing Staff Honoured
Also in the line-up was Morag Ranford, who had worked in Wimbledon’s press operations team for 50 years, and Pete Dobson, a longstanding safety officer who has worked at the tournament for 25 years. Camilla and AELTC chair Deborah Jevans met Dobson, who will retire at the end of this tournament.
Other Royal Box Guests
The Queen is among a host of famous faces due to take a seat in the royal box on Centre Court on Wednesday. She joins American actress Elle Fanning, adventurer Bear Grylls, and British actor Sir David Suchet, among others.
