The future king who made history by competing at Wimbledon
The British royal family has an enduring relationship with Wimbledon, stretching back more than 100 years.
The Princess of Wales is currently the tournament's patron and arguably the most recognisable royal linked with the famous event.
But despite the royal family's long connection with tennis, and Wimbledon, there's been just one member of the monarchy who actually played in the event.
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The British royal family has an enduring relationship with Wimbledon Mike Egerton/PA via AP
The relationship began in 1907 when the then-Prince of Wales and his wife Princess Mary, later King George V and Queen Mary, attended the Wimbledon Championship for the first time.
In 1910, when he acceded to the throne, King George V became patron of the The All England Lawn Tennis Club, beginning a royal tradition that continues to this day.
But it was his son who made history on the Wimbledon court.
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The Duke of York (later King George VI) competing in the All-England tennis championships at Wimbledon, 1926. Getty
In June 1926 Prince Albert, Duke of York, was persuaded by his mentor and equerry, Wing Commander Sir Louis Greig, to enter the men's doubles.
Just two months earlier, Prince Albert's wife Queen Elizabeth had given birth to their first daughter Princess Elizabeth (later, Queen Elizabeth II).
Having won the RAF tennis championship, Sir Louis was awarded an automatic berth at Wimbledon and he invited the future monarch to be his partner.
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Watched by his nervous but adoring wife, Bertie put up a valiant fight, still he and Sir Louis were beaten in three easy sets by their first-round opponents, veteran champs Arthur Gore and Herbert Roper Barrett.
Author Bruce Tarran later said Prince Albert "lost ignominiously" and "never entered again".
Thankfully, he was said to have been gracious in defeat.
Prince Albert is the only member of the royal family to have played at Wimbledon. Bettmann Archive
His daughter, as Queen Elizabeth II, became patron of the club in 1952. It was a relationship which lasted 64 years.
But she attended the tournament just four times as patron. The Queen's final visit to Wimbledon was in June 2010 to see Andy Murray beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen.
It was a momentous occasion, marking the Queen's first appearance in the Royal Box in 33 years.
Her late Majesty decided to hand over the patronage to the then-Duchess of Cambridge in 2016 following her 90th birthday.
You can always spot a royal at Wimbledon. AP
Queen Elizabeth II at Wimbledon in June, 2010. Getty
Catherine has served in the role as patron since 2017, and was in the Royal Box last week with eight-time champion Roger Federer.
The now-Princess of Wales is expected to attend the women's and men's singles finals at the end of the week.
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