They're not royals - so how, exactly, do celebrities end up in Wimbledon's Royal Box?
One thing is certain when Wimbledon rolls around each year – aside from, y'know, the tennis.
It's that the crowd at the tournament is inevitably dotted with famous faces, be they Hollywood stars, influencers or icons of the sporting world.
Some are even lucky enough to wind up in the famous Royal Box, sitting in the presence of actual royalty at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
The courtside suite has been heaving with stars in 2025, with the men's singles final proving especially star studded, with everyone from Nicole Kidman and Keira Knightley to Paul Mescal and Matthew McConaughey.
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The men's singles final for 2025 was especially star-studded. Getty Images for Ralph Lauren
When Aussie 'royalty' meets actual royalty - the Hewitts sat directly behind the Princess of Wales. WireImage
There was also some Aussie 'royalty' of sorts sitting in the presence of the British royals, with Bec and Lleyton Hewitt seated behind the Prince and Princess of Wales.
After seeing the photos, you might have quietly pondered: how, exactly, does a Tom Cruise or an Olivia Rodrigo end up in the prestigious section when they aren't a royal?
The hottest ticket in town
The Royal Box, a Wimbledon institution since 1922, is a strictly invite-only section next to the stadium's Centre Court that sits 74 people, with no tickets available to the public.
As you can guess from the name, members of the British and overseas royal families have an open invitation each year.
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Eddie Redmayne looks chuffed to have been invited to sit in the prestigious section. Getty
However, heads of government, British armed forces, media organisations, tennis stars, commercial partners and, yes, major celebrities also frequent the suite.
To score a seat, you have to receive a personal invitation from the Chairman of the All England Club – and no, you can't pay your way in.
The Chairman corresponds with The Championships' Organising Committee and The Lawn Tennis Association to determine which guests will be invited to sit in the Royal Box each year.
Invitees are announced to the crowd ahead of each match, with the guest list remaining a secret until that moment.
Yes, there are perks - but also rules
Where else could you find Olivia Rodrigo, John Cena and Dave Grohl but Wimbledon's Royal Box? Karwai Tang/WireImage
They are also hosted for lunch, tea and drinks at the end of the tournament day at the Clubhouse.
They're expected to dress in smart attire, meaning a suit or jacket with a tie for men, and ladies are asked to not wear hats as they "tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them", per the Wimbledon website.
Did Sienna Miller and Jodie Foster breach the rules of the Royal Box with these hats? WireImage
However, it seems there might be some leniency on that second point.
On July 8, two major stars were spotted wearing hats in the Royal Box – Sienna Miller in a Wimbledon fedora, bearing the tournament's official colour theme of purple, green and white, and Jodie Foster in a bucket hat.
Given several men in the suit also wore the fedora seen on Miller as the sun shone down on Centre Court, it seems unlikely either of the actresses' hats fit the criteria of "obscuring others' vision" compared to a wider-brimmed design.
Miller and Foster are in good company in their rule-breaking habits, at least.
Clearly, the sun was blinding enough for hats to be necessary. Getty
Both Kate, the Princess of Wales and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex have worn wide-brimmed hats in the Royal Box, too, and lived to tell the tale.
As if Hollywood superstars need any more freebies, guests of the Royal Box also score a special souvenir: a leather amenity bag with the year and Wimbledon logo on the front.
The bag is filled with luxe branded items including hand cream, sunscreen, mints and Evian face spray.
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Rebel Wilson and Cate Blanchett scored the coveted invites for day two of Wimbledon 2025. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Obviously, tennis fans love to spot the celebrities in the Royal Box while watching Wimbledon on TV at home, but it's also a thrill for the players, who can clearly see their famous spectators from the court.
"It's so special ... to have those kind of people in there," Emma Raducanu said this week.
"It definitely adds a bit of pressure, I guess, if you look up and recognise [them].
"That's why I try and stay with my eyes on the court as much as possible. Only after, you kind of look up and take it all in, if they're still there."
Aussie player Daria Kasatkina echoed this while speaking to Nine after her win against Emiliana Arango.
"It makes the tournament super special, if you're lucky enough to play on Centre Court, you see these big names right in front of the court," she said.
"It makes you a little bit tense, but it's nice."
Roll call: Stars in the Royal Box at Wimbledon 2025
The 2025 tournament is only three days in, but the Royal Box has been heaving with big-name celebrities.
Day 14
There's been a Hollywood mass exodus as the world's biggest stars made their way to Wimbledon for the men's singles final on July 13.
Nicole Kidman sat with none other than Anna Wintour for the final day of the tournament. AP
Daisy Edgar-Jones also scored a seat. WireImage
Roll call!
Keira Knightley, Nicole Kidman, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Theo James, Paul Mescal, Andrew Scott, Matthew McConaughey... when we say the Royal Box was loaded, it was LOADED.
Aussie royalty also made an appearance, with Bec and Lleyton Hewitt sitting directly behind the Princeess of Wales.
Day 13
Stanley Tucci's in the house!
Can you spot Stanley Tucci? Anadolu via Getty Images
The beloved actor scored a seat just a couple of rows behind the Princess of Wales.
Also in the Royal Box was iconic Hollywood director couple Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig scored seats in the Royal Box. WireImage
Day 12
Another star-studded day!
Fresh from attending Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice, Leonardo DiCaprio made an appearance at Wimbledon on day 12.
Hello Leo! Karwai Tang/WireImage
Though he hid his face under a cap during his trip to Italy, the actor ditched his disguise for his day at the tennis.
Benedict Cumberbatch, James Norton and Rami Malek were also spotted in the Royal Box.
Malek, looking fresh as anything in a cream-coloured suit, gave Cumberbatch a kiss hello before settling down to chat with the actor and his wife Sophie.
Rami Malek and Benedict Cumberbatch greeted each other with a kiss... AP
...before sitting down for a chat. Getty
So slick! Getty
Day 11
It's been an eventful summer for Ellie Goulding!
Days after performing at Amazon boss Jeff Bezos' wedding in Venice, the singer has returned to her homeland for a day in the Royal Box.
Ellie Goulding in the Royal Box. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Fiona Shaw and Rob Brydon (both far left) also attended the game on Day 11. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Actress Fiona Shaw, famous for Killing Eve and Harry Potter, and comedian Rob Brydon also scored tickets to the courtside box.
Take a close look at the photo above and you might also spot a famous Aussie face: former Prime Minister Julia Gillard!
Day 10
Hugh Grant in the house! Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Day 10 delivered us a rom com icon!
Hugh Grant scored a Royal Box seat with wife Anna, and it seems the chairs in the suite are very comfortable, as the actor was spotted dozing off during the men's quarter final.
Day 9
Sienna Miller and partner Oli Green scored seats for the box on day nine. WireImage
Jodie Foster and Sir Ian McKellen were all spotted in the suite. AP/Getty
Talk about a star-studded day in the Royal Box!
Some of the acting world's most famous faces popped up – namely Sienna Miller, Jodie Foster and Sir Ian McKellan.
Day 5
Sharon Horgan sat in the Royal Box with her brother, former rugby player Shane Horgan. AP
On the fifth day of Wimbledon, the Royal Box gave to us... not a lot in the way of Hollywood celebrities, to be honest.
Thankfully, Bad Sisters star Sharon Horgan was there to maintain some representation.
Day 4
Bear Grylls loves a bit of tennis. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Adventurer Bear Grylls made an appearance in the Royal Box on July 3, as did actors Rory Kinnear and Celia Imrie.
Day 3
Easily the most star-studded day yet, July 2 saw a long list of music and movie stars make the cut.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas had their eyes glued to the court... Karwai Tang/WireImage
...as did fellow celebrity couple Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Sitting pretty in the Royal Box were Olivia Rodrigo, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, John Cena, Dave Grohl, Dominic Cooper, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann.
Day 2
The second day of Wimbledon was a straight-up Aussie bonanza.
Cate Blanchett was there, along with Russell Crowe, Rebel Wilson and their respective partners, Britney Theriot and Ramona Agruma.
Russell Crowe and partner Britney Theriot made an appearance on day two. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Day 1
Wimbledon 2025 kicked off in star-studded fashion, with David Beckham, Eddie Redmayne, Ronan Keating and Jason Isaacs enjoying the action on court.
Who needs the action on court when the celebrity spotting is this good...?
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