What draws them back to the tournament again and again each year?
For a few years in the 1940s, there was no Wimbledon due to World War II. The grounds were instead used by, among others, Britain’s Home Guard and fire and ambulance services. In 1940, Centre Court was bombed and about 1,200 seats were damaged. The tournament resumed in 1946, but they weren’t able to repair the court until 1947.
With the end of the war and, a few years later, the death of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth became the royal face of Wimbledon. She was appointed as patron in 1952, although she didn’t seem to take to the role much – her 2010 visit to watch Murray was her first in 33 years. However, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, inherited the family’s love of the game. After years playing the sport, he became president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1969. He presents the trophies to the champions every year.When Kate Middleton entered the royal fold, she became a staple at the annual tournament. In one of her first post-wedding appearances in 2011, she was spotted enthusiastically doing the wave, much to the amusement of Prince William.
In fact, Kate Middleton loved Wimbledon so much that, after doctors told her she could “definitely not” attend in 2013 because she was heavily pregnant with Prince George, she wrote Andy Murray an apology note.
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