Meghan Markle was refused entry to royal box at Wimbledon after breaking major protocol
Topics: Celebrity, Meghan Markle, Royal Family, Sport, UK News, Wimbledon
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Meghan Markle, Royal Family, Sport, UK News, Wimbledon
It's been a few days now since Wimbledon kicked off, with the major 14-day sporting event set to continue until next week (13 July).
While the Wimbledon Championships are, first and foremost, for marvelling at the tennis talent from across the globe - it's clearly also become a hotspot for celebrity sightings with Hollywood A-listers and sporting icons being spotted time and time again in the crowd.
The royal family are no stranger to the Wimbledon stands with many of them getting their own box to watch the matches in privacy.
However, it seems things don't always go smoothly as Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, was once refused entry to a Royal Box at Wimbledon after breaking major protocol - a similar fate which also happened to Kate Middleton's younger sister, Pippa.
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Back in July 2019, the mother-of-two attended Wimbledon in a private capacity in order to watch her friend Serena Williams.
Opting for casual wear, Meghan donned a pair of jeans, a white linen blazer, a black top and a panama hat.
However, apparently the jeans were a major issue as the wardrobe staple isn't permitted in members‑only areas, meaning Meghan wasn't able to access the Royal Box due to her attire.
According to an official tasked with organising the event, the whole ordeal was a 'nightmare', as per The Times.
An All England Club insider also reportedly told the outlet that Meghan was not supposed to be wearing jeans in the members' areas of the tennis club.
"She wanted to come incognito but there were problems," another Wimbledon official explained.
"They couldn't invite her into the Royal Box because she was wearing jeans but that didn't really matter because all she wanted to do was come and watch Serena."
The source went on to claim that it was fortunate fellow tennis legend, Andy Murray, was playing on the same court after Serena, as she would not have been allowed in the Royal Box on Centre Court with jeans on – despite the fact she was in the royal family at this point.
Spectators in the Royal Box, and members’ enclosures, must adhere to a 'smart' dress code which outlines a number of 'forbidden' items.
The list includes; T-shirts, shorts, leggings, sports shorts, flip-flops, hoodies, oversized bags/hats.
Oh yeah, and no 'bare midriffs', per Heart.
Wimbledon also lists 'jeans or denim of any type or colour (including white)' as unsuitable dress for the members' and Royal Box enclosures.