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Royal Box - Wimbledon

(38 Posts)
ferry23 Thu 03-Jul-25 19:43:34

So, after reading who has been in the Royal Box this week I wonder if any Gransnetters have had an invite? It seems like any old Tom Dick and Harry get seats these days.

From long forgotten pop stars to reality show participants. From Dragon's Den investors to TV "adventurers".

More random than royal.

I shall await my invite grin

Smileless2012 Thu 03-Jul-25 19:47:36

Me too, but I've no idea what I'll wear grin.

Magenta8 Thu 03-Jul-25 20:04:17

Gosh! I hope they don't ask me. I have nothing suitable to wear and I am not that interested in tennis.grin

Smileless2012 Thu 03-Jul-25 20:07:39

Well if they do can you let me know so I can go in your place Magenta?

Labradora Thu 03-Jul-25 20:10:15

I couldn't bear to have the young hopefuls look up to see who might be in the Royal Box and see me.
I'd ask for my own money back.

nanaK54 Thu 03-Jul-25 20:13:27

Oh I reckon I could run to a new frock if I was lucky enough to be invited!

Babamaman Sat 05-Jul-25 13:50:10

All these ‘so called’ celebs getting their freebies! Personally I find it disgusting as real tennis fans can’t even afford the worst seats let alone fancy ones!
With celebs it’s all about the old fashioned ‘social season’ being seen at the right places!
Not impressed.
And the commentary this year is very poor

pooger24 Sat 05-Jul-25 13:52:55

I think it is horrible to see the royal box half empty when there are real tennis fans desperate to watch a match. How it can be justified I have no idea. Blatant example of privilege

Catlover123 Sat 05-Jul-25 14:04:33

I agree with all these sentiments. Why can't they give seats to people who actually deserve it, like people who have volunteered in their community?

Mojack26 Sat 05-Jul-25 14:25:03

Magenta I'll go in your place with pleasure

Lesley60 Sat 05-Jul-25 14:38:25

Well if I were invited I would say no thank you I’m not a royalist and I can’t stand tennis give it to the Beckhams they seem to think they are royal and would desperately want to be in the box if they haven’t already

Millie22 Sat 05-Jul-25 14:44:12

I'd go.

How irritating is it to see empty seats around the court when I was not able to get anything in the ballot.

Mollygo Sat 05-Jul-25 15:01:50

I’d go. They may have offered tickets to those who would be criticised for accepting freebies so that’s why it’s empty.

pooger24 Sat 05-Jul-25 15:17:23

And why don’t ppl have a chance to give their seats to ppl who are watching the screens outside the courts when they leave? It’s outrageous that there are empty seats in the royal box and all around the court. Wish we could do something about it

Loobs Sat 05-Jul-25 15:21:13

I remember when I was at senior school in the late 60's and lived near to Wimbledon. We would simply turn up outside the grounds at around 4 o'clock and people would hand us their tickets as they left, I got to watch some great matches for free.

FranP Sat 05-Jul-25 15:26:24

pooger24

And why don’t ppl have a chance to give their seats to ppl who are watching the screens outside the courts when they leave? It’s outrageous that there are empty seats in the royal box and all around the court. Wish we could do something about it

The court officials do their best to prevent it. I won 2 centre court seats, but my mother was ill, so we had to leave half way through the final a few years ago. I saw a young girl with her mum outside - they had been unable to get on to the hill.

I gave them the tickets, but had to tell them exactly where the seats were, because if you did not know, they would not let you back in.

The official on the gate asked me for my tickets and was very cross when I told her I had put them in the bin. She said they could have been sold on.

ferry23 Sat 05-Jul-25 15:28:34

Loobs

I remember when I was at senior school in the late 60's and lived near to Wimbledon. We would simply turn up outside the grounds at around 4 o'clock and people would hand us their tickets as they left, I got to watch some great matches for free.

I bet most of the "celebs" don't show the slightest interest in tennis for 50 weeks of the year.

I had a lovely, lovely Aunt who had the right "contact" and for about 6 consecutive years her & I used to go. It would either be Centre or No. 1 court. Never for the finals and generally it would be Week 1 but we were very happy with that as you often got the top players on the outside courts in the first week.

We always handed out tickets back in when we left, although there were times we hung on right to close of play.

All those lovely bronzed Australians in their tennis whites - ah, thems were the days smile

Rosie51 Sat 05-Jul-25 15:37:22

Loobs

I remember when I was at senior school in the late 60's and lived near to Wimbledon. We would simply turn up outside the grounds at around 4 o'clock and people would hand us their tickets as they left, I got to watch some great matches for free.

Me too! Straight from school and hang about looking hopefully. The officials would often point us out to people leaving to pass their tickets on. I’m not sure when attitudes changed and Wimbledon decided they’d prefer to re-sell tickets that had already been paid for in full, often at extortionate prices. Very mean spirited.

LadyGracie Sat 05-Jul-25 15:44:23

I’d give up my seat willingly.

kinjil Sun 06-Jul-25 14:25:45

You have your seat for the day. So food and comfort breaks may look like empty seats but only temporary.

PamelaJ1 Sun 06-Jul-25 18:43:36

Well I have been in the Royal Box at the Albert hall. Does that count?
If the Royals aren’t using it they let their staff take advantage of the good view. My friend worked on one of their estates.
You do have to behave re. eating and drinking though. All around us were hospitality boxes where all sorts of delicious food and drink was being enjoyed. Not in ‘our’ box!
I always thought the ££ from resold tickets at Wimbledon went to charity. Ami wrong?

TheatreLover Sun 06-Jul-25 19:06:37

PamelaJ1

Well I have been in the Royal Box at the Albert hall. Does that count?
If the Royals aren’t using it they let their staff take advantage of the good view. My friend worked on one of their estates.
You do have to behave re. eating and drinking though. All around us were hospitality boxes where all sorts of delicious food and drink was being enjoyed. Not in ‘our’ box!
I always thought the ££ from resold tickets at Wimbledon went to charity. Ami wrong?

You are correct. The income from resold tickets is donated to the Wimbledon Foundation.

aquagran Sun 06-Jul-25 19:09:26

Why do some people always mention the Beckhams? And Lesley60 didn’t even mention his tattoos! 😂

Rosie51 Mon 07-Jul-25 19:41:33

You are correct. The income from resold tickets is donated to the Wimbledon Foundation.

That’s very nice, but as registering for eligibility to go on the resale list closes at 2.30 pm and you have to already be in possession of a ground pass that rules out schoolgirls like loobs and me from ever enjoying the experience we had sad

Witzend Mon 07-Jul-25 20:07:20

Loobs

I remember when I was at senior school in the late 60's and lived near to Wimbledon. We would simply turn up outside the grounds at around 4 o'clock and people would hand us their tickets as they left, I got to watch some great matches for free.

DDs and friends used to bunk off school and do this! Shame it’s no longer allowed.