David Beckham made a notable appearance in the Royal Box on the opening day of Wimbledon amidst ongoing tensions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The former England captain attended the prestigious event to watch Spain's Carlos Alcaraz face Estonia's Mark Lajal, marking the beginning of the renowned tennis tournament. Beckham was accompanied by his mother, Sandra, and the duo shared the exclusive area with numerous celebrities, including Jamie Cullum, Alexander Armstrong, and Katherine Jenkins.
Beckham's presence added a touch of star power to the Royal Box, where he was seen greeting David Attenborough. Both appeared to be in high spirits as they exchanged pleasantries before taking their respective seats.
Despite the star-studded lineup of sports figures, actors, and presenters, no member of the royal family attended the event. Notably absent were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have not been seen at Wimbledon since 2019. The couple, who stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, once shared a close friendship with the Beckhams. However, the relationship has since cooled, with reports suggesting that David was left absolutely furious after he and his wife, Victoria, were allegedly accused by the Sussexes of leaking stories. This accusation reportedly led to the end of their friendship.
Rumor has it that Meghan Markle has been banned from Wimbledon following a controversial appearance where she claimed ownership of a whole section of the member seats. The now Princess of Wales and the Duke of Kent, president of the Lawn Tennis Association, personally reimbursed the members affected by this incident. Meghan Markle's last appearance at Wimbledon was in July 2019, prior to her and Prince Harry's departure from their royal roles. During this visit, she was seen cheering on her friend Serena Williams, who exited the tournament in the second round.
Meghan's attendance became controversial due to an incident involving media consultant Sally Jones, who was seated in the same row. Jones recounted an uncomfortable moment when a royal protection officer asked her not to take photographs of Meghan, even though she was trying to capture the tennis match. She described the request as "bonkers" and noted that there were many others taking photos at the time. Jones expressed her frustration in an opinion piece for The Telegraph, criticizing what she saw as excessive control by the royal security. She argued that most members of the royal family are accustomed to being photographed in public and usually don't object to it. As a seasoned journalist, Jones emphasized the joy that ordinary citizens often experience when encountering royalty.
Meghan's attire at Wimbledon also drew criticism from some sources, particularly her choice to wear jeans in a members' area at the All England Club. The club enforces a strict dress code, including a prohibition on jeans, which led to Meghan being unable to enter the Royal Box. This move was seen as a significant faux pas given her association with the royal family. Wimbledon's exclusive members' area, which includes the clubhouse and dining facilities, as well as the Royal Box, requires a formal dress code—jacket and tie for men and no jeans. Since 1922, the Royal Box, located in the prime viewing spot at Centre Court, has been reserved for the entertainment of friends and guests of Wimbledon. It contains 74 seats, with invitations issued by the chairman of the All England Club. Members of the Championships Organizing Committee and the Lawn Tennis Association can also make suggestions for guests.
