While the Princess of Wales has made an unexpected visit to the All England Lawn Tennis Club for Wimbledon 2026, her mother Carole Middleton is yet to travel to SW19 this year.
Having passed down her passion for tennis to her three children, we imagine it won't be long before the Party Pieces founder shows off her sartorial prowess on centre court. Until she does, we're reminiscing about one of Carole's most glamorous spectator looks back in 2014, which bore a striking resemblance to an outfit worn by Princess Diana 17 years earlier.
Carole was spotted in the crowds on day five of the championships in June 2014 to watch Novak Djokovic take on Gilles Simon. She was the epitome of elegance in a baby blue tweed skirt suit. The sculpted jacket featured covered buttons and a silver-flecked thread that caught the sunshine, and Carole teamed it with the matching figure-hugging pencil skirt.
Elevating her look, Carole accessorised with a cream snakeskin-effect bag, drawing parallels to her daughter Princess Kate's late mother-in-law. Internationally recognised as a style icon, Diana's fashion regularly hit the headlines – especially for important family events such as her son Prince William’s confirmation into the Church of England.
In March 1997, Diana joined members of the Royal Family at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in a Chanel Spring/Summer 1997 sky blue tweed suit, complete with mother-of-pearl buttons. Similarly to Carole's look over a decade later, she wore neutral accessories, including a Gucci bag and a pair of Chanel beige stiletto pumps.
© WireImage
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetCarole's Wimbledon grand slam outfits
© GettyCarole has long been considered the ultimate muse for courtside elegance. Last year, Carole kept it neutral in a toffee-brown and white striped shirt dress by Beulah London.
However, she hasn't shied away from bold colours in the past. While many spectators choose to emulate the event's green and white colour scheme, Carole brought a pop of colour to SW19 in a floral dress by Cefinn in 2024, and a wide-leg pink and blue jumpsuit from Boden in 2022.
Princess Kate's unconventional visit
© WireImageKate made a surprise visit to Wimbledon earlier this week, where she wore her first cobalt blue suit at the sporting event, designed by Gabriela Hearst.
After greeting fans in the queue, Kate settled in to watch Katie Swan take on Madison Keys on Court One, instead of heading to Centre Court and making a beeline straight for the Royal Box.
