Princess Charlotte broke a well-known rule during her appearance at Wimbledon with her parents and older brother over the weekend. The family sat in the Royal Box, all smiles as they watched Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev face off in the gentlemen's singles finals on Sunday, July 12. Prince Louis was missing from the family excursion.
Hat Rule Violated
Princess Charlotte donned a deep blue dress as she sat next to her brother during the match. However, one move broke a traditional rule for ladies in the Royal Box: she wore a hat. According to the Royal Box rules, ladies are asked not to wear hats so that the view of others is not obstructed while players are on the court. The tournament's website states: "Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them."
Despite the rule, Princess Charlotte, along with Princess Kate, was allowed to wear a hat due to the high heat in London, which reached 29°C at Wimbledon. Both Prince George and Princess Charlotte returned to their seats with woven hats after a brief break. Princess Kate also indulged in this rule-bending, eventually putting on a wide-rimmed hat as the sun beamed down on the venue.
Previous Rule-Bending
This is not the first time a royal has bent the hat rule at Wimbledon. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also wore a hat while attending years ago, although she chose not to sit in the Royal Box. The Royal Box has a strict dress code, and attendees must dress accordingly. Prince William and Prince George both donned suits complete with blazers and ties despite the scorching temperatures.
Royal Box Etiquette
The esteemed seated area is attended only by those who receive an invitation. During this year's tournament, famous faces included David Beckham and Rory McIlroy, as well as members of the Royal Family. The Royal Box dress code requires formal attire, and the hat rule is in place to ensure clear views for all spectators.
