The British royal family has long been associated with the championships. Here the Queen presents 1977 winner Virginia Wade with the trophy
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"It's like no place else in the world," says NBC commentator Dick Enberg of Wimbledon. "It's easy to get lost in the nostalgia, the class and the grace it has to offer. You are instantly blown away by its simple, but very majestic beauty. I mean, if you've got half the royal family sitting court-side, you must be on to something."
European royals have a long-standing association with the venerable tennis championships, dating back to July 15, 1895, when Crown Princess Stephanie of Austria and Prince Batthyany-Strattmann stopped by to watch a set of doubles.
The Prince of Wales first put in an appearance in late June 1907. Escorted by tournament officials to a makeshift "royal box", the Prince and his wife, Princess Mary, stayed until rain forced a suspension of play.
The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club offered the Prince the role of president, which he happily accepted; he'd serve until his ascension to the throne as King George V in 1910. The King and Queen remained enthusiastic supporters of the tournament, missing just two events between 1919 and 1934.
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