Kate Middleton's purple Wimbledon bow is actually part of a long-standing royal tradition
Kate Middleton served up plenty of standout style moments at Wimbledon 2026, but there was one tiny detail that royal fans were far more interested in than her outfit.
While all eyes were on the future Queen as she took her seat in the Royal Box during this year's Championships, eagle-eyed tennis fans quickly spotted the return of her signature green and purple bow brooch.
It's easy to mistake the accessory for a stylish finishing touch, but it actually carries a much deeper meaning and has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Kate's role at Wimbledon.
The Princess of Wales, 44, wore the bow pinned neatly to her outfit as she attended the finals, continuing a tradition she's followed for years as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
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The green and purple colours aren't random, either.
They're the official colours of Wimbledon, and the bow is reserved for a select group of people connected to the tournament, including the club's president, vice-presidents, members of the management committee and a handful of senior staff.
Kate has been entitled to wear it since taking over as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 2016, when the role was passed to her by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Since then, the bow has become something of a Wimbledon trademark for the royal, appearing alongside everything from tailored dresses to smart blazers as she presents trophies and greets players throughout the Championships.
Royal watchers were particularly quick to notice the brooch this year after it briefly sparked conversation when it wasn't worn during one of her earlier appearances (2 July) at the tournament, hence why so many were thrilled to see its return for the closing stages of Wimbledon 2026.
Alongside the bow, some royal fans may have noticed Kate had worn something that's usually discouraged in the Royal Box.
The mum-of-three, who attended both the women’s and men’s singles finals, was spotted wearing an olive-green, wide-brimmed hat while watching the action unfold from the prestigious Royal Box.
Observant royal fans may have been left wondering how she'd managed to get away with breaking one of the venue's best-known pieces of etiquette.
In case you missed it, guests sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon are typically discouraged from wearing hats because they can block the view of spectators sitting behind them.
The Royal Box has long had a strict dress code, with women traditionally asked to avoid headwear for exactly that reason.
But there was one important detail this year that allowed Catherine to break the fashion rule.
Thanks to the soaring temperatures over the weekend, Wimbledon temporarily eased its usual dress-code guidance for Royal Box guests.
As sweltering heatwaves persist across the UK and Europe, Kate and her fellow spectators were able to wear their hats while watching play to stay protected from the sun.
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, Fashion, Wimbledon, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle