The Princess of Wales’ sister stepped out for the iconic tennis event alongside her husband

Pippa Middleton stepped out for the first time since her sister Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis.

On July 12, Pippa, 40, made a stylish entrance in a floral ensemble for Day 12 of the Wimbledon competition, accompanied by her husband, James Matthews. The couple, married since 2017, are known for their regular attendance at the iconic tennis event.

Pippa’s presence was particularly notable given the ongoing speculation about whether Princess Kate, 42, will make an appearance in the coming days during the championship matches.

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Pippa Middleton at Wimbledon on July 12, 2024.

The Princess of Wales is a passionate tennis player and proud patron of the All England Club, a role that includes the esteemed duty of presenting trophies to Wimbledon champions. The Women’s Singles Final is set for Saturday, July 13, followed by the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, July 14—two prestigious events where the royal typically awards the winners.

Princess Kate has been out of the public eye for most of this year after announcing in March that she has cancer and is receiving treatment. She made her first public appearance of 2024 at Trooping the Colour on June 15, appearing with the royal family at King Charles’ birthday parade in London, confirming her attendance in a heartfelt health update the day prior.

She described her treatment as “ongoing” and expressed her hope to attend some public events this summer.

“[I] hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet,” Princess Kate said.
A source close to the royal household told PEOPLE that the princess “has been doing what’s right for her and recovering privately at home. She is dealing with it the best she can.”

Chris Jackson/Getty (From left) Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis, Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024.

Palace aides emphasized that the Princess of Wales’ appearance at Trooping the Colour did not signal a return to royal duties. No date has been set around that expectation.

Avid tennis fan Kate hinted that she was following the competition of Wimbledon in a social media message to player Andy Murray on July 6. The Princess of Wales remarked on Murray’s Wimbledon career coming to a close when his mixed doubles partner, Emma Raducanu, withdrew due to wrist soreness.

“An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andymurray. On behalf of all of us, thank you!” she wrote in a note shared to the official Instagram and X accounts she shares with Prince William, signing “C” for Catherine to indicate it came directly from her.

Princess Kate and Pippa’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have also attended Wimbledon twice since the tournament began on July 1. Carole, 69, and Michael, 75, made their event debut on July 4, where they watched from the Royal Box. Kate’s younger brother, James Middleton, has yet to make an appearance at the event.

The Middletons were seated beside All England Club chair Debbie Jevans, who told Telegraph Sport in June that organizers would give the Princess of Wales, 42, “as much flexibility as possible” regarding the possibility of presenting trophies at Wimbledon amid her cancer treatment.

Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Carole Middleton, Michael Middleton and Debbie Jevans at Wimbledon on July 4, 2024.

“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Jevans told the outlet in a story published on June 27. “We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.”

Karwai Tang/WireImage Carole and Michael Middleton at Wimbledon on July 10, 2024.

The Telegraph Sport further reported that the call on who will present the trophies may not be made until the morning of the finals.

On July 8, The Telegraph reported Wimbledon “earmarked” another member of the royal family to distribute trophies if Princess Kate does not go — Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester. The job would her longtime role as Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association.