From David Attenborough to David Beckham: Who’s who in the Royal Box on Wimbledon day one?

Actors, presenters and sports stars will be rubbing shoulders in the Royal Box

Ellie Muir
Monday 01 July 2024 08:45 EDT
Comments
Wimbledon Centre Court crowd rises for David Attenborough

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wimbledon has opened its gates and the Royal Box is already brimming with a starry guest list made up of sports stars, actors and presenters.

Emma Raducanu and defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz are highlights of the opening day at the All England Club while Andy Murray will make a decision on whether to play singles this evening after undergoing an operation to remove a spinal cyst before the tournament.

The 37-year-old said he wants to “feel the buzz” on Centre Court for one last time and have some “closure” before ending his career.

Above the mingling crowds, fans can expect to see some famous faces over the next two weeks. Each year, the Royal Box is a focal point of celebrity happenings, like last year when American musician Ariana Grande caused a frenzy among her fans when she appeared at the men’s singles final not wearing her wedding ring. Last year’s men’s singles final attracted an A-list crowd made up of Ian McKellen, Nick Jonas, Maggie Smith, Daniel Craig, Andrew Garfield, Stormzy and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Keep up with Wimbledon 2024 via our liveblog.

The Royal Box, situated in the prime-viewing slot at Centre Court, has been used for the entertainment of friends and guests of Wimbledon since 1922, and it has 74 exclusive seats. Invitations are sent by the Chairman of the All England Club, but members of The Championships’ Organising Committee and The Lawn Tennis Association can make suggestions. Many celebrities are returning faces each year, like David Beckham and his mother Sandra, while newer celebrities and actors are inducted into the Wimbledon world each year.

Find out all of the celebrities in the Royal Box at Wimbledon today, below:

Sir David Attenborough and his daughter Susan

Attenborough with his daugther at Wimbledon in 2019
Attenborough with his daugther at Wimbledon in 2019 (Getty Images)

The 98-year-old Planet Earth presenter and his daughter Susan have made a tradition of attending the games together over previous years.

Alexander Armstrong and his son Rex

Armstrong at Wimbledon, 2023
Armstrong at Wimbledon, 2023 (Getty Images)

The Pointless presenter is in the stands with his son, Rex, on Wimbledon day one.

Sir David Beckham and his mother Sandra

David and Sandra Beckham ahead of the Gentlemen's Singles first round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Dusan Lajovic of Serbia during day one
David and Sandra Beckham ahead of the Gentlemen's Singles first round match between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Dusan Lajovic of Serbia during day one (Getty Images)

The former England footballer is known for bringing along his mother, Sandra, to the tennis championships each year.

Baroness Floella Benjamin and husband Keith Taylor

Benjamin photographed in June 2024
Benjamin photographed in June 2024 (Getty Images)

Actor and presenter, known for children’s programmes such as Play School, will be watching from the Royal Box today.

Jamie Cullum

Cullum will be rubbing shoulders with Wimbledon elite
Cullum will be rubbing shoulders with Wimbledon elite (Getty Images for EON Productions)

“These are the days” musician Jamie Cullum, who is one of the UK’s biggest-selling jazz artists, will be watching as Emma Raducanu takes on Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.

Katherine Jenkins and husband Andrew Levitas

Andrew Levitas and Katherine Jenkins in the Wimbledon Royal Box, 2023
Andrew Levitas and Katherine Jenkins in the Wimbledon Royal Box, 2023 (Getty Images)

The classical Welsh singer-songwriter and her husband, musician Andrew Levitas,

Alison Oliver

Oliver is best known for playing aristocrat Venetia in ‘Saltburn’
Oliver is best known for playing aristocrat Venetia in ‘Saltburn’ (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The actor is best known for starring in the adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends and for playing the uber-privileged Venetia Catton in the film Saltburn, which is directed by Emerald Fennell.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in