Prince Louis may not have made his Wimbledon debut yet, but he was once given a gift from a tennis legend that money can’t buy. As royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the Princess of Wales is no stranger to the royal box at SW19.
While she is often met with a round of applause, she was also once given a “priceless” pair of trainers at the event in 2019 when attending with the Duke of Kent by her side. This gift was a pair of Adidas Stan Smith shoes, given to the princess to give to her son Louis, by 1972 Wimbledon champion Stan Smith himself.
The gift was handed over during the 2019 Men’s Singles Final at Wimbledon, with a picture of the shoes showing that they had been signed by Stan Smith.
The shoes also said “to Louis” on the side, with the sweet gesture likely to have put a big smile on the young prince’s face.
Despite reportedly enjoying tennis, Louis – who is now seven – is yet to make his Wimbledon debut with mum Princess Kate, 43.
While his siblings Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, 10, have attended Wimbledon a handful of times now, it is believed Louis is still too young, much to his annoyance.
Despite not being able to attend, the young royal reportedly still has an enthusiasm for tennis, and has even practiced being a ballboy before at home when his mum takes to the tennis courts.
This was revealed by Kate in 2023 when speaking with 16-year-old ball boy Joel, who told PA news agency: “He (Louis) tries to practise the standing and staying serious, like us.
“He tries to practise the stands and how we stand at the back of the court and next to the players.”
It is also believed the young prince has taken to the tennis court before, even from as young as four years old.
During a Wimbledon visit in 2022, Kate was heard saying: “George is playing. They’re all playing, even Louis. They’re all keen.”
