Who is who in the Royal Box at Wimbledon?

July 12, 2023

Dozens of famous faces headed to Wimbledon today to catch the men and women’s quarter-finals on centre court.

And the royal family were no exception, with none other than the Queen sitting front and centre of the royal box.

Joining her was her sister Annabel Elliot, as well as Prince Albert of Monaco and his cousin Melanie-Antoinette.

The royal line-up was bulked out by Peter Phillips and his new girlfriend, while many famous faces including queen of baking Mary Berry also joined in.

So far this tournament, the Royal Box has seen some very famous faces grace centre court, from Lionesses Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, to singer Ellie Goulding.

And, of course, members of the Royal Family have also been spotted catching the action, from Amelia Windsor to the Princess of Wales.

1. Sir Patrick Vallance 2. Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy 3. Prince Albert of Monaco 4. Ian Hewitt 5. Annabel Bosher 6. Joanne Hegarty 7. Sebastian Faulks 8. Ted Verity 9. Arthur Faulks 10. Dame Mary Berry 11. Queen Camilla 12. Jagdeep Chandi 13. Annabel Elliot 14. Carmen Montero Mundt 15. Captain Harpreet ‘Preet’ Chandi 13. Annabel Elliot 14. Carmen 16. Lady Hague 17. George Russel 18. Elaine Paige 19. William Hague 20. Sandi Procter 21. Peter Philips 22. Lindsay Wallace

Here FEMAIL reveals who is in the royal box from explorers to politicians to writers.

1. Sir Patrick Vallance

Sir Patrick Vallance was the government’s chief scientific adviser from 2018 until he stepped down earlier this year

Sir Patrick Vallance was the government’s chief scientific adviser from 2018 until he stepped down earlier this year.

The University of London educated physicist became a household name during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he would give regular press conferences alongside then Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The 63-year-old has also worked for GlaxoSmithKline and for various universities, including working as head of medicine at University College London’s medical school from 2002-2006.

Earlier this year he gave evidence to the Covid-19 inquiry.

2. Melanie-Antoinette Costello de Massy

Monégasque royal Melanie-Antoinette Costello is the daughter of Prince Albert’s first cousin Elizabeth

Monégasque royal Melanie-Antoinette Costello is the daughter of Prince Albert’s first cousin Elizabeth.

The royal has long been considered a pillar of strength for Prince Albert II while his wife was unable to attend royal events due to her ill health.

In fact, the 38-year-old has been called a source of ‘fundamental support’ to the Royal Family of Monaco.

But she is said to have an incredulous background, filled with ancestral quarrels and tales of alleged betrayal.

In January, Charlene, 45, smiled for the cameras as she stepped out of her car and was shown into a Mass service, a key part of the festivities which take place every year in Monaco, appearing relaxed with Melanie-Antoinette’s company.

The first cousin of Prince Albert II once removed was also pictured at his own side during engagements while his wife was away, Tatler reports, for events going as far back as the 2010s.

It would seem that she has taken over her mother Elizabeth’s role as the royal core’s confidante.

The godmother of Princess Stephanie of Monaco – Prince Rainier III’s youngest child – who was also bridesmaid at his wedding – has always appeared to be an anchor for the main royals.

However, despite the seeming ease and closeness with which Melanie-Antoinette slots into the royal circle, the family tree is filled with a history much more complicated.

It is alleged that her grandmother Antoinette de Monaco, Baroness de Massy – who was the older sister of Rainier – once hatched a plan to remove him from the throne through vicious rumours that he couldn’t provide an heir.

3. Prince Albert of Monaco

Prince Albert is the monarch of Monaco. He was seen today without his wife, Princess Charlene. He was the ‘playboy prince’ who seemed destined for a life as a bachelor amid a soap opera of love child scandals

As Prince Albert of Monaco approached his 50s, he was yet to marry or produce a legitimate heir to the throne. But the wealthy future ruler had no shortage of models happy to dangle off his arm, Naomi Campbell being one of them.

The son of Grace Kelly also had no trouble wooing women having enjoyed a secret relationship with an air hostess and a two-week fling with a waitress, with both romances leading to two children out of wedlock.

So when under the gaze of European royalty, billionaires and celebrity friends, Albert and Charlene Wittstock both uttered I do – or ‘oui’ to be precise – there was a collective sigh of relief (followed by a veil of tears from the bride).

Yet even the fairytale wedding in 2011 had been dogged by rumours it may not happen after his bride, 20 years his junior, reportedly tried to flee the country before their big day, with the couple’s relationship full of rumoured upset for the last 10 years.

4. Ian Hewitt

Ian Hewitt, Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation and Vice Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Ian Hewitt is the Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation and Vice Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Ian Hewitt is the Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation and Vice Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Before joining the club he was a partner for 25 years at Freshfields, a leading international law firm, and has written many books about Wimbledon and its history.

He was Chairman of the Wimbledon Foundation since its formation in 2013 until January 2020.

5 & 10. Dame Mary Berry and Annabel Bosher

Queen of Baking Mary Berry rightfully took her place in the royal box. The food writer and broadcaster is best known for her role as a judge of the Great British Bake Off

Queen of Baking Mary Berry rightfully took her place in the royal box.

The food writer and broadcaster is best known for her role as a judge of the Great British Bake Off.

Still fighting fit as she approaches her 90s, Mary is still writing and recently released a cookbook.

Dame Mary has been married to Paul Hunnings, 90, a retired antiquarian bookseller who also worked in the wine trade, for 56 years. And while she’s still working at a prodigious pace, her husband’s life is rather more leisurely.

The close family ties around which their lives pivot are doubly cherished because they lost a son, William, who was killed, aged 19, in a car crash in 1989. His sister Annabel, travelling with him, was mercifully spared.

Now they hold close Annabel, their son Tom and five grandchildren – twins Abby and Grace, 18; grandsons Louis, 17, and Hobie, 15, and 11-year-old Atalanta – who visit often.

Annabel joined her mother today.

6. Joanne Hegarty

Joanne Hegarty is a columnist for the Daily Mail who writes the The Chic List column in You magazine

Joanne Hegarty is a columnist for the Daily Mail who writes the The Chic List column in You magazine.

The fashion expert has built up a huge following thanks to her style tips.

7 & 9. Sebastian Faulks and Arthur Faulks

Sebastian Faulks is an award-winning British novelist known for his French Trilogy

Sebastian Faulks is an award-winning British novelist known for his French Trilogy.

The Berkshire-born writer has also continued classic series including James Bond and Jeeves.

He was joined today by his son Arthur, 27.

8. Ted Verity

Ted Verity is the editor of the Daily Mail. He took over the role in 2021 after previously running sister paper The Mail on Sunday

Ted Verity is the editor of the Daily Mail. He took over the role in 2021 after previously running sister paper The Mail on Sunday.

11. Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla is the Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth

Queen Camilla is the Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

She became Queen on 8 September 2022 following the death of her mother-in-law, Elizabeth II.

She is married to King Charles, with the pair tying the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 2005.

12 & 15. Captain Harpreet ‘Preet’ Chandi & Jagdeep Chandi

Known as ‘Polar Preet’, army captain Harpreet Chandi is the first woman set the world record for the longest unaided solo expedition to Antarctica in history

Known as ‘Polar Preet’, army captain Harpreet Chandi is the first woman set the world record for the longest unaided solo expedition to Antarctica in history.

In January, she battled exhaustion and temperatures as low as -30C to make the furthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition in history.

Preet, 33, from Derby, covered 922 miles – 1,485km – in 70 days and 16 hours, breaking the record for the longest solo unsupported and unassisted expedition in Antarctica, according to the British Army.

The previous world record of 907 miles was set in 2015 by fellow soldier Henry Worsley, a retired lieutenant colonel, who later died after collapsing from exhaustion towards the end of the trek.

She was joined by husband Jagdeep.

13. Annabel Elliot

Queen Camilla’s younger sister is Annabel Elliot, is an interior designer and antiques dealer

Queen Camilla’s younger sister is Annabel Elliot, is an interior designer and antiques dealer.

Annabel has been described as her sister’s quieter counterpart and the pair have previously recalled spending their childhood rolling down hills, catching butterflies and dressing correctly for their strict grandmother while staying at their grandparents’ Hampshire home.

As young women, Camilla loved debutante circuit while Annabel was rather more serious and preferred a quieter life — ‘not the kind of girl to throw her knickers on the table’, as it has been put.

The pair are very close today, and Annabel joined her sister at the coronation earlier this year.

14 & 17. Carmen Montero Mundt & George Russell

George Russell, 25, is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One for Mercedes

George Russell, 25, is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One for Mercedes.

A teammate to Lewis Hamilton, the star is rising through the sport and could be a huge British talent in coming years, with his eyes set on a Grand Prix prize.

He was joined by his stunning influencer girlfriend Carmen, a university of Westminster finance graduate.

Beauty and brains, she’s currently working at Ruffer LLP as an investment associate.

16 & 19. Lord & Lady Hague

Lord William Hague is the former leader of the Conservative party. His wife Ffion Hague joined him today at Wimbledon

Lord William Hague is the former leader of the Conservative party.

He was Tory leader, and leader of the opposition opposite Tony Blair from 1997 to 2001.

He also served in government as foreign secretary from 2010 to 2014 before taking his place as leader of the commons.

His wife Ffion Hague joined him today at Wimbledon.

She is a Welsh broadcaster and former civil servant, best known for her biography of David Lloyd George.

Her sister is Manon Antoniazzi, who served as the assistant private secretary to Prince Charles and is now Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd.

18. Elaine Paige

Musical theatre legend Elaine Paige also took her place in the Royal Box. The singer and actress, 75, has won dozens of awards

Musical theatre legend Elaine Paige also took her place in the Royal Box.

The singer and actress, 75, has won dozens of awards.

20. Sandi Procter

The Lawn Tennis Association’s President Sandi Procter was also spotted happily watching the Wimbledon action today.

Sandi is currently the second female president of the LTA and will serve in the role for the next three years.

The tennis fan previously worked as a PE teacher before becoming a coach. She was working as the manager of Bromley Tennis Centre when US Open winner Emma Raduncau was based there.

21 & 22. Peter Phillips & Lindsay Wallace