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Kate Middleton Received a Standing Ovation at Wimbledon—And This Celeb’s Reaction Caught My Eye

Julia Roberts is all of us

Author image: rachel bowie christine han photography 100
By Rachel Bowie
•
Published Jul 22, 2024
kate middleton royal box wimbledon universal
Simon Bruty/Getty Images

It’s been a little over a week since Kate Middleton sat center court at Wimbledon alongside her daughter Princess Charlotte and sister Pippa Middleton to watch Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic face off as part of the men’s singles final. The occasion marked the Princess of Wales’s second-only official appearance of the year—a major moment in the wake of her cancer diagnosis, which she revealed in a televised announcement that aired in March.

Cue the highly deserved standing ovation from the crowd as Kate took her seat at Centre Court.

kate middleton princess charlotte beaming at her
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Of course, so many moments tied to her arrival stood out: Her stunning purple Safiyaa dress, her daughter Charlotte beaming up at her and looking so proud of her mom, not to mention a star-studded royal box including Benedict Cumberbatch, Sophie Turner, even Julia Roberts and Danny Moder. (Hollywood royalty and actual royalty, combined.)

Still, it was Roberts who caught my eye as Kate descends down the stairs to take her seat. Her look of surprise, then sheer delight led me to rewind the tape of Kate’s royal entrance a few times. (You can catch it yourself at the 0:05 second mark.)

julia roberts danny moder benedict cumberbatch wimbledon
Mike Egerton/Getty Images

Beside Moder, Roberts quickly rises to her feet as Kate walks by, but it’s the quick switch on her face where her famous Hollywood smile goes from joy to immense admiration. You can almost see her mouthing aww. At the very least, Roberts clearly appreciates the significance of this royal moment for Kate.

As for Moder, who has an aisle seat, he maintains his chill as he suddenly finds himself front and center on camera as Kate walks by—a part of footage that will be replayed on repeat around the world. No pressure.

julia roberts kate middleton wimbledon
Mike Egerton/Getty Images

Stars, they’re just like us? Kind of. We love that Roberts (who looked ever-so-stylish btw) was able to join Kate in the royal box and cheer her on. The fact that she did it while reacting so genuinely and grinning from ear to ear? Even better.

So Many Kate Middleton Photos Were Taken This Weekend That I Totally Missed Who Was Sitting Right Behind Her

rachel bowie christine han photography 100
Rachel Bowie

Senior Director, Special Projects and Royals

  • Writes and produces family, fashion, wellness, relationships, money and royals content
  • Podcast co-host and published author with a book about the British Royal Family
  • Studied sociology at Wheaton College and received a masters degree in journalism from Emerson College
read full bio