Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon outfit actually had special meaning behind it after she made rare public appearance

Wimbledon is set to come to an end later this week and, with it, all the surprise celebrity, sporting legends and international royalty appearances.

As we know, it simply wouldn't be a Wimbledon tournament without spotting the likes of Kate Middleton et al in the stands watching on as the best tennis talent from around the world battle it out for victory.

Last July, the 43-year-old Princess of Wales attended the sporting event alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte, as well as her younger sister, Pippa.

She dressed in purple for the occasion, while Pippa wore a pink floral dress with Charlotte donning a navy polka dot frock.

This particular Wimbledon outing marked Kate's first public appearance in almost a month after she was last seen at Trooping the Colour alongside her husband, Prince William.

Kate Middleton donned an all-purple ensemble during her Wimbledon appearance last summer (Karwai Tang / Contributor / Getty Images)

During the event, Kate and Charlotte took their seats in the front row of the Royal Box at Centre Court where they were greeted with a standing ovation.

Kate, the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, appeared to pay tribute to her role with her outfit choice - opting for a regal colour on the day.

After taking over the patronage from Queen Elizabeth back in 2016, the Princess has regularly accessorised her Wimbledon outfits with a pin representing her role.

The bow tie pin she wore during last year's appearance featured the club's official dark green and purple colours.

She also seemingly followed suit with the late Queen in wearing bright colours so she could be easily spotted in the crowds.

She was wearing a £1,295 purple bespoke 'Cecilia' dress in the colour 'lilac' from London fashion designer, Safiyaa, a brand she previously wore at the Royal Variety Performance in 2023.

The Princess of Wales attended the sporting event alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte (Simon M Bruty / Contributor / Getty Images)

The statement garment, made from a heavy crepe fabric, features short sleeves with subtle puff detailing on the shoulders complete with an A-line skirt and ruched bodice.

Now, the famed Royal Box, a coveted 74-seat suite inside Centre Court, is strictly invite-only, meaning no tickets are sold to the general public.

Attendance is granted by the All England Club chair based on suggestions from organising committees, the Lawn Tennis Association, and commercial partners.

Those lucky few who make it onto the list include the British royal family but, even then, they must adhere to the strict dress code rules.

Blokes are expected to wear a jacket and tie or a full suit, while women have to follow a 'smart attire' dress code.

"Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them," the official website adds.

However, despite such a rule, it's clear some royals wear one anyway, with both Kate and the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, previously opting for one to keep cool in the summer heat.

Meghan was also once refused entry to the Royal Box in 2019 after breaking a major protocol.