One of the best views of the action at Wimbledon 2024 is surely the one guests in the Royal Box enjoy above Centre Court.
The tradition of the Royal Box has been going since 1922 — 45 years after Wimbledon began — and it continues to be a focal point for fans and TV cameras.
During the first week of play, the Royal Box has been used by organisers to honour guests for their achievements and recognise those "who work towards making the world a better place for everyone."
What is the Royal Box and who is invited to sit in it? The Sporting News explains the story.
What is the Royal Box at Wimbledon?
The box is a set of dark green wicker chairs which are partly used to accommodate invited British and overseas Royal Families and heads of government.
Smart dress is required for guests, who receive lunch, tea and drinks in a clubhouse at the end of their day.
Players used to bow or curtsey to members of the Royal Family until the tradition was discontinued in 2003, although it continues when The Queen or the Prince of Wales attend matches.
Who is allowed to sit in the Royal Box at Wimbledon?
Commercial partners, members of the British armed forces, media organisations, important tennis supporters and figures and notable individuals from across society are welcomed each year.
The Chairman of the All England Club works with The Championships’ Organising Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and other groups to decide who will be invited.
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The box is a hive of celebrity-spotting. In 2024, former England football captain David Beckham, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Hollywood stars Dustin Hoffman and Salma Hayek, and members of the British royal family have all been seen taking in the action.
There was a faintly farcical incident in 2015 when then-Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was refused the right to sit with the likes of actor Hugh Grant because the sporting icon had not observed the correct Royal Box dress code.
Fashion fan Hamilton had failed to wear the required suit and tie when he arrived at Wimbledon to take up his prominent position.
How many seats are there in the Royal Box at Wimbledon?
The 74 seats in the Royal Box will be occupied by a wide variety of guests at Wimbledon 2024.
This means there are bound to be countless big names and celebrities who will be sighted in the Royal Box over the play during the 2024 championships.
What is the Centre Court capacity?
A maximum of 15,000 people can fit into Centre Court, which has space for 290 million tennis balls when the roof is closed.
There are 14,979 seats, with No.1 Court accommodating 12,345 visitors at capacity.
The grounds at Wimbledon can contain 42,000 spectators at one time. The cumulative daily figure is higher because used or unwanted tickets are sold for charity throughout the day.